copper

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is どう, and the kun reading is あかがね. It has 14 strokes. It appears in words for copper and bronze.
• Basic usage: 銅 is read どう, and 青銅 is read せいどう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 銅 / 青銅
  • 銅 means copper and is read どう. It refers to copper as a metal.
  • この鍋は銅で作られている。 means “This pot is made of copper.”
  • 青銅 means bronze and is read せいどう. It refers to bronze as a metal.
  • 博物館に青銅で作られた古い鏡が展示されている。 means “An old bronze mirror is displayed at the museum.”