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:

この入れ物はとても便利です。

Kono iremono wa totemo benri desu

This box is very convenient.

This container is very convenient.

• この - this
• 入れ物 - container
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 便利 - convenient
• です - is

この建物は私たちの目印です。

Kono tatemono wa watashitachi no mejirushi desu

This building is our reference point.

This building is our landmark.

• この - this
• 建物 - building
• は - is
• 私たちの - our
• 目印 - reference point
• です - is

クレーンは重い物を持ち上げるために使われる機械です。

Kurēn wa omoi mono o mochiageru tame ni tsukawareru kikai desu

Crane is a machine used to lift heavy objects.

A crane is a machine used to lift heavy objects.

• クレーン (kurēn) - Crane
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 重い (omoi) - heavy
• 物 (mono) - object, thing
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持ち上げる (mochiageru) - lift
• ために (tameni) - in order to
• 使われる (tsukawareru) - be used, be used
• 機械 (kikai) - machine
• です (desu) - to be, to be (polite form)

オートバイは速くて楽しい乗り物です。

Ootobai wa hayakute tanoshii norimono desu

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

The motorcycle is a quick and fun vehicle.

• オートバイ (ootobai) - motorcycle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 速くて (hayakute) - fast and
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - fun
• 乗り物 (norimono) - vehicle
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

オレンジは美味しい果物です。

Orenji wa oishii kudamono desu

Orange is a delicious fruit.

Orange is a delicious fruit.

• オレンジ (orenji) - orange
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• 果物 (kudamono) - fruit
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

鉢には植物を植えました。

Hachi ni wa shokubutsu wo uemashita

I planted a plant in the vase.

I planted plants in the pan.

• 鉢 (hachi) - It means "vase" or "pot" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the object of an action, in this case, "no"
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the vase"
• 植物 (shokubutsu) - means "plant" in Japanese
• を (wo) - a particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "planted"
• 植えました (utaemashita) - a polite past form of the verb "plantar"

オンラインで買い物をするのが好きです。

Onrain de kaimono wo suru no ga suki desu

I like shopping online.

• オンライン - online
• で - Article indicating the location where an action takes place.
• 買い物 - compras
• を - Article indicating the object of the action
• する - to do
• の - partícula que indica posse ou descrição
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito da frase
• 好き - gostar, afeição
• です - copula polida

この出来物は美味しいですか？

Kono dekibutsu wa oishii desu ka?

Is this creation delicious?

Is this source delicious?

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 出来物 - noun "thing made, product"
• は - Topic particle
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle

この政策は物議を醸している。

Kono seisaku wa butsugi wo nameru shite iru

This policy is causing controversy.

This policy is controversial.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 政策 - noun "politics"
• は - Topic particle
• 物議 - noun "controversy"
• を - direct object particle
• 醸している - verb "to cause, to produce" conjugated in the present progressive tense

この物語はまだ続きがある。

Kono monogatari wa mada tsuzuki ga aru

This story still continues.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 物語 - noun "story"
• は - Topic particle
• まだ - adverb "yet"
• 続き - noun "continuation"
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"