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:

物音が聞こえる。

Mono oto ga kikoeru

I can hear the sound of objects.

You can hear the noise.

• 物音 - sound of objects
• が - subject particle
• 聞こえる - to be heard

生物は自然界の多様性を表しています。

Seibutsu wa shizenkai no tayousei wo arawashite imasu

Living beings represent the diversity of nature.

Creatures represent the diversity of nature.

• 生物 - Japanese word meaning "living beings"
• は - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自然界 - Japanese word meaning "natural world"
• の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship
• 多様性 - Japanese word meaning "diversity"
• を - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 表しています - Japanese verb meaning "to represent"

発見した宝物はとても貴重です。

Hakken shita takaramono wa totemo kichō desu

The discovered treasure is very valuable.

• 発見した - "Discover"
• 宝物 - noun "treasure"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 貴重 - Adjective "valuable"
• です - verb "to be" (polite form)

神話は古代の人々の信仰や文化を伝える大切な物語です。

Shinwa wa kodai no hitobito no shinkō ya bunka o tsutaeru taisetsu na monogatari desu

Myth is an important story that conveys the religion and culture of ancient people.

• 神話 - Myth
• は - Topic particle
• 古代 - Antique
• の - Possession particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• や - enumeration particle
• 文化 - culture
• を - object particle
• 伝える - transmit
• 大切 - important
• な - Suffix indicating adjective
• 物語 - history
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

禁物に手を出すな。

Kinmotsu ni te wo dasu na

Do not get involved with forbidden things.

Do not put your hands in forbidden.

• 禁物 - Noun that means "forbidden thing"
• に - particle that indicates action directed towards something or someone
• 手 - noun that means "hand"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 出す - verb that means "remove" or "put out"
• な - particle indicating an order or prohibition

私は食べ物を控える必要があります。

Watashi wa tabemono o hikaeru hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to abstain from eating.

I need to abstain from food.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - Japanese noun meaning "food"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 控える (hikaeru) - Japanese verb that means "to abstain" or "to restrict oneself."
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to exist" or "there is"

私は所有物に執着しない。

Watashi wa shoyūbutsu ni shūchaku shinai

I am not attached to my material goods.

I don't keep the property.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 所有物 (shoyuu-butsu) - Japanese noun meaning "property, belongings"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 執着 (shuuchaku) - Japanese noun meaning "attachment, fixation"
• しない (shinai) - negative form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "to do", in this case "not do"

私はよく物を無くす。

Watashi wa yoku mono o nakusu

I usually lose things often.

I often lose things.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• よく (yoku) - adverb that means "frequently" or "well"
• 物 (mono) - noun meaning "thing" or "object"
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 無くす (nakusu) - verb that means "to lose" or "to misplace"

私は巻物を巻くのが得意です。

Watashi wa makimono wo maku no ga tokui desu

I am skilled at rolling scrolls.

I am good at wrapping rolls.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 巻物 (makimono) - substantive that means "scroll"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "scroll of parchment"
• 巻く (maku) - verb that means "to enroll"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates the function of the nominal subject of the sentence, in this case "to roll"
• 得意 (tokui) - adjective that means "to be good at"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and affirmative form of the sentence

私は古い着物を繕いました。

Watashi wa furui kimono wo tsukuroimashita

I fixed an old kimono.

I noticed the old kimono.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 古い (furui) - adjective meaning "old"
• 着物 (kimono) - noun meaning "kimono", a traditional Japanese garment
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 繕いました (tsukuraimashita) - verb that means "I fixed" or "I repaired"