cheek

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: No on reading is listed, and the kun reading is ほお. It has 16 strokes. It appears in words for cheeks and filling one’s mouth with food.
• Basic usage: 頰 is read ほお and 頰張る is read ほおばる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 頰 / 頰張る
  • 頰 means cheek and is read ほお. It refers to a cheek that may be exposed to cold wind or marked with paint.
  • 子どもの頰に絵の具が少し付いている。 means “There is a little paint on the child's cheek.”
  • 頰張る means stuff one's mouth or take a big bite and is read ほおばる. It describes filling one’s mouth with rice or fruit.
  • 子どもは炊きたてのご飯を頰張りました。 means “The child stuffed their mouth with freshly cooked rice.”