垣根

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 垣根(かきね) denotes a fence or hedge marking a boundary and can figuratively refer to barriers between groups.
• Basic usage: It describes trimming a garden hedge so that people can see in.
  • 庭の垣根を低く刈り、道路から見通せるようにした。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The material of a boundary
  • In the example, 垣根を刈る means to trim a hedge made of plants. Depending on context, 垣根 can be translated as fence or hedge.
• Barriers between groups
  • 部署の垣根を越える figuratively describes working across departmental divisions or barriers to communication.