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

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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:

毛皮は動物の皮で作られたものです。

Mouhi wa doubutsu no kawa de tsukurareta mono desu

The fur is made from animal skin.

• 毛皮 - a word that means "animal skin with hair".
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "毛皮".
• 動物 - a word that means "animal".
• の - possession particle indicating that the skin is "the animal's".
• 皮 - a word that means "skin".
• で - particle that indicates the means by which something is made, in this case, "made of".
• 作られた - verb "作る" in the past tense, which means "done".
• もの - a word that means "thing".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

比重は物質の密度を表す重要な指標です。

Bijū wa busshitsu no mitsudo o hyōsu jūyōna shihyōdesu

Specific gravity is an important indicator that represents the density of the substance.

• 比重 (hijū) - relative density
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 物質 (busshitsu) - substance
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 密度 (mitsudo) - density
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - Expressar, representar
• 重要な (jūyōna) - important
• 指標 (shihyō) - indicator
• です (desu) - be (linking verb)

洗濯物を干すのはいい運動になる。

Sentaku mono wo hosu no wa ii undou ni naru

Hanging clothes out to dry is good exercise.

Drying clothes is good exercise.

• 洗濯物 - clothes to wash
• を - object particle
• 干す - dry
• のは - Topic particle
• いい - good
• 運動 - exercise
• に - target particle
• なる - become

物体がない。

Buttai ga nai

There is no object.

• 物体 - object
• が - subject particle
• ない - negation of the verb "exist"

物は言い訳をしない。

Mono wa iiwake o shinai

Objects Don't Make Excusses.

Things do not apologize.

• 物 - means "thing" in Japanese
• は - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the previous word is the subject of the sentence
• 言い訳 - means "sorry" in Japanese
• を - object particle in Japanese, indicating that the previous word is the object of the sentence
• しない - The negative form of the verb "fazer" in Japanese, indicating that the action is not performed
• . - full stop, indicating the end of the sentence

物質は化学的な性質を持っています。

Bussitsu wa kagakuteki na seishitsu o motte imasu

Materials have chemical properties.

The materials have a chemical nature.

• 物質 - means "matter" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• 化学的な - compound adjective formed by the words "化学" (chemistry) and "的" (suffix indicating that something is related to something). It means "chemical".
• 性質 - means "property" in Japanese.
• を - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb "持つ" (to have) conjugated in the polite and present form. It means "have".

物資が不足しています。

Butsuzi ga fusoku shiteimasu

There is a shortage of supplies.

• 物資 - It means "supplies" or "materials".
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 不足しています - It is a verb that means "to be lacking" or "to be scarce".

物置きにはたくさんの物が入っています。

Mokowatari ni wa takusan no mono ga haitte imasu

There are many things in the pantry.

• 物置き (mokuroki) - a closet or storage space for objects
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the location of the object
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, the closet
• たくさんの (takusan no) - an adjective meaning "many" or "very"
• 物 (mono) - objects or things
• が (ga) - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, the objects inside the closet
• 入っています (haitte imasu) - a verb meaning "to be inside", indicating that the objects are inside the closet

物価を引き下げる必要がある。

Bukka wo hikisageru hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to reduce prices.

• 物価 - prices of goods and services
• を - object particle
• 引き下げる - reduce, lower
• 必要 - necessary
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist, have

物価が高いです。

Bukka ga takai desu

Prices are high.

Prices are high.

• 物価 - Price of goods and services in an economy.
• が - Subject particle.
• 高い - Adjective that means "expensive" or "high".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.