冷凍

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 冷凍 is read as れいとう and functions as a noun or with する for freezing food, as well as describing a frozen state.
• Basic usage: Use 野菜を冷凍する for the action and 冷凍の魚 for fish already in that state.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Action and state
  • Leftover vegetables undergo freezing after portioning, while the fish is already frozen before preparation.
• Sequence with 解凍
  • Frozen fish is thawed before cooking, so 冷凍 and 解凍 mark opposite stages of storage and preparation.