丸太

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 丸太 is read as まるた and is a noun meaning a log.
• Basic usage: It can be a log laid across a river as a crossing or a log used as material for making furniture.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A log laid across something
  • 川に架けた丸太 is a log placed over a river so that it can be crossed. Example: 川に架けた丸太を渡って向こう岸へ行きました。
• A source material
  • 丸太から椅子を作る means to make a bench or chair from a log as the source material. Example: 職人は太い丸太から長い椅子を作りました。