bell

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is しょう, and the kun reading is かね. It has 20 strokes. It appears in words for bells and warnings.
• Basic usage: 鐘 is read かね and 警鐘 is read けいしょう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 鐘 / 警鐘
  • 鐘 means bell and is read かね. It refers to a temple bell that rings to mark the time of day.
  • 寺の鐘が鳴り、町に夕暮れを告げた。 means “The temple bell rang to announce sunset to the village.”
  • 警鐘 means warning or alarm bell and is read けいしょう. It refers to a warning about a problem or danger.
  • 専門家の指摘は資源の浪費に対する警鐘となった。 means “The expert's observation served as a warning about wasting resources.”