Translation and Meaning of: 物 - mono

The Japanese word 「物」 (mono) is a rather versatile term and has various applications in the Japanese language. Etymologically, 「物」 is a kanji that can be broken down into two components: the radical 「牛」 which represents a cow or bull, and the radical 「勿」 which suggests the idea of "not." Historically, the combination of these two elements implies something tangible or concrete, distinct from the spiritual or intangible world. The word is used in various contexts, always maintaining the foundation of designating something physical or a tangible object.

In everyday use, 「物」 refers to "thing" or "object," encompassing everything from specific items, such as furniture or tools, to more abstract concepts within a context, such as responsibility or emotion. For example, when someone mentions "食べ物" (tabemono), the meaning is "food," while "動物" (doubutsu) means "animal." Both terms share the central idea of representing physical or defined entities.

The versatility of 「物」 is also highlighted in compound word expressions, illustrating the capacity for adaptation and modification of the word within the Japanese language. Terms like "植物" (shokubutsu) for "plants" and "荷物" (nimotsu) for "luggage" are other examples of the broad use of 「物」. This adaptive character reflects the dynamic nature of the Japanese language, where a single kanji can serve as the foundation for a wide range of meanings that adjust according to the context in which it is used.

In addition to Japanese, many languages have an equivalent term for what 「物」 represents, highlighting the universal need to denote the physical world around us. The ability of 「物」 to mean so much in Japanese exemplifies how words can carry cultural and linguistic weight, transcending barriers by adapting to new situations and communicative needs. This richness of meanings is one of the reasons why 「物」 holds a unique and important position in the Japanese language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• もの (mono) - Coisa, objeto, item
• 物品 (buppin) - Article, item physical, goods
• 物体 (buttai) - Body, physical object, mass
• 物質 (busshitsu) - Substance, material, element
• 物事 (monogoto) - Things, events, general matters

物

Romaji: mono
Kana: もの
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: thing; object

Meaning in English: thing;object

Definition: something that exists.

Example Sentences - (物) mono

See below some example sentences:

車に荷物を載せる。

Kuruma ni nimotsu wo noseru

Put luggage in the car.

Put your luggage in the car.

• 車 (kuruma) - car
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the object of the action
• 荷物 (nimotsu) - luggage, cargo
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 載せる (noseru) - place, carry

象は大きな動物です。

Zou wa ookina doubutsu desu

Elephant is a big animal.

The elephant is a big animal.

• 象 (zou) - elephant
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大きな (ookina) - large
• 動物 (doubutsu) - Animal
• です (desu) - Verb to be

貝は海の宝物です。

Kai wa umi no takaramono desu

Shells are treasures of the sea.

Mariscos is a treasure of the sea.

• 貝 - means "shell" in Japanese.
• は - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "shell".
• 海 - Means "sea" in Japanese.
• の - It is a grammatical particle that indicates possession, in this case "of the sea".
• 宝物 - means "treasure" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

豆は健康に良い食べ物です。

Mame wa kenkou ni yoi tabemono desu

Beans are a healthy food.

Beans are good food for health.

• 豆 (mame) - means "bean" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 健康 (kenkou) - means "health" in Japanese
• に (ni) - grammatical particle indicating purpose or objective
• 良い (yoi) - means "good" in Japanese
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - means "food" in Japanese
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a polite or formal manner

見せ物はとても面白かったです。

Misemono wa totemo omoshirokatta desu

The exhibition was very interesting.

The show was very interesting.

• 見せ物 (mizemono) - show
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 面白かった (omoshirokatta) - It was fun, interesting
• です (desu) - polite way of being

記憶は人生の宝物です。

Kioku wa jinsei no takaramono desu

Memory is a treasure of life.

Memory is a treasure of life.

• 記憶 (kioku) - memory
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 宝物 (takaramono) - treasure
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

蔵にはたくさんの宝物があります。

Kura ni wa takusan no takaramono ga arimasu

There are many treasures in the warehouse.

There are many treasures in the warehouse.

• 蔵 (kura) - means "warehouse" or "storage".
• に (ni) - is a particle that indicates the location of the object of the sentence, in this case, the warehouse.
• は (wa) - is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case the warehouse.
• たくさんの (takusan no) - means "many" or "a lot".
• 宝物 (takaramono) - means "treasure" or "valuables".
• が (ga) - is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, the treasures.
• あります (arimasu) - is a verb meaning "to exist" or "to have".

荷物が嵩む。

Nimotsu ga kasumu

Baggage is piling up.

Baggage increases.

• 荷物 - means "luggage" or "hand luggage".
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 嵩む - verb meaning "to increase in volume" or "to become voluminous".

私の妻は私の人生の中で最高の贈り物です。

Watashi no tsuma wa watashi no jinsei no naka de saikou no okurimono desu

My wife is the best gift of my life.

My wife is the best gift of my life.

• 私の妻 - "My wife" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 私の - "Meu" in Japanese
• 人生 - "Life" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle in Japanese
• 中で - "Within" in Japanese
• 最高の - "The best" in Japanese
• 贈り物 - "Gift" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese

私物は大切なものです。

Watamono wa taisetsu na mono desu

Personal goods are important.

Personal goods are important.

• 私物 (shibutsu) - personal belongings
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• もの (mono) - thing, object
• です (desu) - polite way of being