目覚まし

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 目覚まし(めざまし) refers to an alarm or alarm clock used to wake someone.
• Basic usage: It is used when setting an alarm, as in 目覚ましを六時にセットする.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Alarm and awakening
  • 目覚まし focuses on something that wakes a person, while 目覚め refers to awakening or the state on waking.
• Serving in its place
  • 目覚まし代わり means serving instead of an alarm, as the thunder does in the example.