brocade

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is きん, and the kun reading is にしき. It has 16 strokes. It appears in words for ornate brocade and ornamental carp.
• Basic usage: 錦 is read にしき, and 錦鯉 is read にしきごい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 錦 / 錦鯉
  • 錦 means brocade or splendor and is read にしき. It refers to ornate brocade or splendor.
  • 舞台衣装には赤い錦の帯が使われていました。 means “A red brocade sash was used in the stage costume.”
  • 錦鯉 means ornamental carp and is read にしきごい. It refers to ornamental carp with vivid coloring, such as red and white.
  • 庭の池で赤と白の錦鯉が泳いでいる。 means “Red and white ornamental carp are swimming in the garden pond.”