打つ

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 打つ is read うつ and means to hit or strike an object such as a ball or drum.
• Basic usage: It is used for striking an incoming ball hard or striking a drum a set number of times.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Hitting a ball
  • 球を強く打った describes the past action of striking a ball hard.
• Striking a drum
  • 太鼓を三回打つ describes striking a drum three times.