脂

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 脂(あぶら) refers to fat or grease found in food or in the body.
• Basic usage: It is used when fat renders out during cooking or accumulates in the body. Typical patterns are 肉の脂が落ちる and 体に脂が蓄えられる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Choose the sense from context
  • With meat it can mean fatty tissue or grease, and with the body it can mean stored fat.
• Difference from 油
  • Also read あぶら, 油 is commonly used for liquid oil, while 脂 is commonly used for animal fat or bodily grease.