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:

この場所で怪物が出現した。

Kono basho de kaibutsu ga shutsugen shita

A monster appeared in this place.

• この場所で - "In this place"
• 怪物が - "Monster"
• 出現した - "Appeared"

この川の流域には多くの野生動物が生息しています。

Kono kawa no ryūiki ni wa ōku no yasei dōbutsu ga seisoku shite imasu

Many wild animals inhabit this river basin.

• この川の流域には - indicates the location where something is located, in this case, the watershed of this river
• 多くの - "muitos" em japonês significa "多く" (おおく, ooku).
• 野生動物 - Wild animals
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 生息しています - verb that means "to inhabit" or "to live in a certain place"

スーパーで買い物をするのが好きです。

Sūpā de kaimono o suru no ga suki desu

I like shopping at the supermarket.

I like shopping at a supermarket.

• スーパー (sūpā) - supermarket
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 買い物 (kaimono) - shopping
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• する (suru) - make
• のが (no ga) - particle indicating that the sentence is an expression of taste or preference
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

ストローを使って飲み物を飲みます。

Sutorō o tsukatte nomimono o nomimasu

I drink my drink using a straw.

Drink a drink using a straw.

• ストロー (sutoroo) - "canudo" means "straw" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 使って (tsukatte) - verbal form of the verb "usar" in Japanese, which indicates the action of using something
• 飲み物 (nomimono) - means "drink" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 飲みます (nomimasu) - verb form of the verb "beber" in Japanese, which indicates the action of drinking something

その建物には守衛がいる。

Sono tatemono ni wa shuei ga iru

There is a guard in the building.

• その - demonstrative determiner meaning "that"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• に - particle that indicates the location of something
• は - particle that marks the theme of the sentence
• 守衛 - noun meaning "guard"
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• いる - verb meaning "to be present"

ミシンで縫い物をするのが好きです。

Mishin de nui mono wo suru no ga suki desu

I like sewing with a sewing machine.

I like to sew with a sewing machine.

• ミシン (mishin) - Sewing machine
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or tool used to carry out the action
• 縫い物 (naimono) - sewing, sewing
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• する (suru) - to do, to accomplish
• のが (noga) - a particle that indicates that the previous sentence is a reason or explanation for the next
• 好き (suki) - like, love
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

不審な人物が近くにいる。

Fushin na jinbutsu ga chikaku ni iru

There is a suspicious person nearby.

• 不審な - suspeito
• 人物 - person
• が - subject particle
• 近くに - near
• いる - be

二つの物が等しいです。

Futatsu no mono ga hitoshii desu

The two objects are the same.

Two things are the same.

• 二つの物 - means "two objects" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 等しい - It means "equal" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or state of something.

体験は人生の宝物です。

Taiken wa jinsei no takaramono desu

Experiences are treasures of life.

Experience is a treasure of life.

• 体験 (taiken) - experience
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人生 (jinsei) - life
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 宝物 (takaramono) - treasure
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

兎は可愛い動物です。

Usagi wa kawaii doubutsu desu

Bunny is a cute animal.

• 兎 (usagi) - Rabbit
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 可愛い (kawaii) - cute, cute
• 動物 (doubutsu) - Animal
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form