bone

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 骨 denotes a bone or skeleton; its on-reading is こつ, and its kun-reading is ほね.
• Basic usage: Standalone 骨 refers to a bone or skeleton, while 骨折 means a bone fracture.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 骨 / 骨折
  • 骨: This noun can refer to an individual bone, such as one removed from grilled fish. Example: 焼き魚の細い骨を箸で取り除いた。
  • 骨折: This noun refers to a broken bone, such as a fracture of the arm. Example: 小説の主人公は腕を骨折して試合を休む。