骨董

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 骨董 is read as こっとう and is a noun for antiques or curios collected and appreciated because of their age and character.
• Basic usage: An individual object appears in 骨董品の時計, while collecting appears in 各地の骨董を集める.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 骨董 and 骨董品
  • 骨董 can refer collectively to antiques, while 骨董品 explicitly presents an individual antique object.
• Old object and collectible
  • The word suits an old object treated as a collectible or curio, not merely anything worn or outdated.