境内

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 境内 (reading けいだい) is a place noun for the grounds within the boundaries of a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple.
• Basic usage: It is used for a tree standing on shrine grounds and for worshipers crossing the grounds toward the main sanctuary.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Not one building
  • 境内 covers the precinct as a whole, not only a main sanctuary or worship hall.
• Place particles
  • Existence takes に, as in 境内に, while a traversed route can take を, as in 境内を歩く.