奮発

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 奮発 is a noun read ふんぱつ; 奮発する describes spending more than usual or being especially generous.
• Basic usage: It works adverbially before a purchase in 奮発して大きな菓子箱を買う and 少し奮発して良い席を予約する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Spending extra
  • 奮発 means choosing to spend more or provide something better than usual for the occasion. It does not necessarily mean spending an unaffordable amount.
• Person benefiting
  • In 孫たちに奮発して, the grandchildren benefit from the generous spending. The phrase is not limited to handing them cash directly.
• 奮発 and 浪費
  • 浪費(ろうひ) negatively evaluates money or resources as wasted. 奮発 describes deciding to spend extra for a special purpose and does not automatically judge it as wasteful.