膳

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 膳, read ぜん, and it is a noun for a low serving table or tray set before a diner and, by extension, a complete serving of food.
• Basic usage: The basic sense of 膳 is a tray or small table holding dishes, or the meal arranged together upon it.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The serving surface and the meal arranged on it
  • Both examples use the form 膳. The first identifies the lacquered object placed before a guest, while the second presents several seasonal dishes as one arranged serving.
• A red-lacquered tray and an inn's seasonal dishes
  • 客の前に朱塗りの膳が置かれました。 — A red-lacquered serving tray was placed before the guest.
  • 宿では季節の料理を一つの膳に並べて出しました。 — At the inn, seasonal dishes were arranged together on one tray.