酢

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 酢 is read す and is the noun for vinegar, a sour seasoning.
• Basic usage: In 酢と醤油を混ぜて、餃子のたれを作った。, vinegar and soy sauce are mixed to make a dumpling dipping sauce.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The ingredient rather than the taste
  • 酢 names vinegar as an ingredient, not sourness as a quality. In 酢で締める, で marks the ingredient used to cure the fish.