太鼓

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 太鼓(たいこ) means a drum, an instrument sounded by striking it.
• Basic usage: It describes a drum sounding to announce the start of a festival.
  • 祭りの始まりを知らせる太鼓が鳴り響いた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Describing the playing
  • Playing a drum is expressed as 太鼓をたたく. 太鼓が鳴る focuses on the drum sounding rather than on the player.
• The figurative 太鼓判
  • 太鼓判を押す means to give a firm endorsement or assurance.