chain

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is さ, and the kun reading is くさり. It has 18 strokes. It appears in words for chains and for blockading a route or area.
• Basic usage: 鎖 is read くさり, and 封鎖 is read ふうさ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 鎖 / 封鎖
  • 鎖 means chain or sequence and is read くさり. It refers to a chain of metal links or a connected sequence.
  • 門に太い鎖を巻き、南京錠を掛けた。 means “A thick chain was wrapped around the gate and secured with a padlock.”
  • 封鎖 means blockade or closure and is read ふうさ. It refers to blocking an entrance, road, or area after an accident or for control.
  • 事故のため橋の入口が封鎖された。 means “The entrance to the bridge was closed because of the accident.”