rice cake

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 餅 denotes a rice cake; the source lists the kun-reading もち and no on-reading.
• Basic usage: Standalone 餅 is a rice cake, while 焼き餅 can mean either a grilled rice cake or jealousy.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 餅 / 焼き餅
  • 餅: This basic noun refers to a Japanese rice cake that can be grilled or cut into pieces. Example: 焼いた餅に醤油を少し付けた。
  • 焼き餅: Literally this can be a grilled rice cake, while 焼き餅を焼く expresses jealousy. Example: 弟は姉ばかり褒められて焼き餅を焼いています。