餅つき

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Written 餅つき and read もちつき, it means the traditional process of pounding steamed rice to make mochi.
• Basic usage: It is used for a year-end community activity watched by children.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Process rather than finished rice cake
  • The word names the making and pounding event, not the food alone.