土葬

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 土葬 is read as どそう and is a noun combining 土 (earth) and 葬 (burial), denoting burial of a body in the ground.
• Basic usage: Use 土葬の習慣 for the custom and 土葬を行う for carrying out the burial.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scope of the term
  • 土葬 is limited to interment in the ground and is narrower than 葬式, which refers to a funeral generally.
• Custom versus event
  • 土葬の習慣 names a social custom, whereas 土葬を行う describes an individual burial.