鉛筆

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 鉛筆 (えんぴつ) is a noun for a writing instrument with a graphite core enclosed in wood.
• Basic usage: 新しい鉛筆で予定を書く marks the writing implement, while 芯の柔らかい鉛筆で薄く書く specifies a tool whose soft lead is used to make a light answer.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Instrument and core property
  • 鉛筆で marks the writing instrument in both sentences, while 芯の柔らかい鉛筆 restricts it by core property. The tool is not a rod of metallic lead.