弁当

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Spelling: 弁当. Reading: べんとう. Core meaning: boxed lunch.
• Basic usage: Representative examples: 朝早く起きて、家族の弁当を作った / 公園のベンチに座り、持ってきた弁当を広げる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A portable prepared meal
  • 弁当を作る is preparing a boxed meal, while 弁当を広げる depicts opening the meal one has brought. The word focuses on a portable prepared meal rather than meals in general.