股

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 股 is a noun read また, referring to the crotch or groin where the legs divide, or to the corresponding part of trousers.
• Basic usage: Use 枝を股にはさむ for holding a branch between the legs and ズボンの股 for the crotch of a pair of trousers.
  • 子どもは木の枝を股にはさんで、馬のまねをしました。 describes a child putting a branch between their legs and pretending it was a horse; ズボンの股が破れたので、自分で縫いました。 describes sewing up the torn crotch of the trousers oneself.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 股にはさむ
  • に marks the position between the legs where the branch is held.
• ズボンの股
  • Here the word refers to the corresponding part of clothing rather than directly to the body.
• 股が破れる
  • が marks the part of the trousers whose state changes by tearing.