鎖

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 鎖, read くさり, means a physical chain of linked rings or a figurative sequence of connected causes and effects.
• Basic usage: It can secure a gate with a padlock or represent a continuing causal connection that someone tries to break.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A physical chain and linked causation
  • It can be a metal chain wrapped around a gate or a figurative chain of cause and effect extending from the past.