item · neck

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is こう, and the kun reading is うなじ. It has 12 strokes. It appears in words for general items and contract clauses.
• Basic usage: 項目 is read こうもく and 条項 is read じょうこう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 項目 / 条項
  • 項目 means item or field and is read こうもく. It refers to a field on a form or an item in a survey.
  • 申込書の必須項目をすべて記入してください。 means “Please complete all required fields on the application.”
  • 条項 means clause or provision and is read じょうこう. It refers to a contract clause defining matters such as the scope of responsibility.
  • 授業で架空の契約書にある条項を読み解いた。 means “In class, we analyzed a clause in a fictional contract.”