dew · expose

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are ろ and ろう, and the kun reading is つゆ. It has 21 strokes. It appears in words for dew and the exposure of something previously covered.
• Basic usage: 露 is read つゆ and 露出 is read ろしゅつ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 露 / 露出
  • 露 means dew and is read つゆ. It refers to dew that shines in morning sunlight or wets grass and shoes.
  • 朝日を受け、草の葉の露が銀色に光った。 means “Dew on the grass shimmered silver in the morning sun.”
  • 露出 means exposure and is read ろしゅつ. It refers to something becoming exposed or to the exposure setting in photography.
  • 工事で地中の古い管が露出した。 means “Construction exposed an old pipe buried underground.”