賄い

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 賄い is read まかない and is a noun for a meal prepared for staff, especially at a restaurant.
• Basic usage: It is used for the menu of a staff lunch or for a cook preparing a meal for employees.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Distinguishing staff meals
  • The key point is that the meal is prepared for employees to eat at the workplace, rather than being a dish sold to customers.