steel

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is こう, and the kun reading is はがね. It has 16 strokes. It appears in words for steel and objects made from it.
• Basic usage: 鋼 is read はがね, and 鋼製 is read こうせい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 鋼 / 鋼製
  • 鋼 means steel and is read はがね. It refers to steel as a strong metal.
  • 職人は鋼を熱して丈夫な刃物を作りました。 means “The artisan heated steel to make a strong blade.”
  • 鋼製 means steel or made of steel and is read こうせい. It indicates that a door, shelf, or other object is made of steel.
  • 入口には重い鋼製の扉が取り付けられている。 means “A heavy steel door is installed at the entrance.”