zero · spill

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is れい, and the kun readings are こぼす and こぼれる. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for temperatures below zero and small-scale businesses.
• Basic usage: 零下 is read れいか and 零細 is read れいさい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 零下 / 零細
  • 零下 means below zero and is read れいか. It refers to a temperature below zero.
  • 気温が零下まで下がり、池に氷が張った。 means “The temperature dropped below zero, and ice formed on the pond.”
  • 零細 means small-scale and is read れいさい. It describes very small-scale operations such as family workshops or small businesses.
  • その地域には家族で営む零細な工房が多い。 means “There are many small family-run workshops in that area.”