涙

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 涙 is read as なみだ and is a noun for a tear or tears produced by emotion or a physical response.
• Basic usage: Tears welling or falling appears in 涙がこぼれる, while shedding them appears in 涙を流す.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Sadness and joy
  • It can describe tears caused by a sad film or 喜びの涙, tears of joy prompted by good news.
• Difference from 泣く
  • 泣く is the verb for crying, while 涙 is the noun for the tears themselves.