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:

この荷物の重量はどのくらいですか？

Kono nimotsu no jūryō wa dono kurai desu ka?

What is the weight of this luggage?

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 荷物 - noun "luggage"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 重量 - noun "weight"
• は - topic particle "about"
• どのくらい - adverb "quanto"
• ですか - verb "to be" in the polite way of asking

この品物はとても高価です。

Kono shinamono wa totemo kōka desu

This product is very expensive.

This item is very expensive.

• この - this
• 品物 - item, product
• は - is
• とても - very
• 高価 - dear, valuable
• です - It (verb to be polite)

この織物は美しいですね。

Kono orimono wa utsukushii desu ne

This weaving is beautiful

This textile is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• 織物 - noun meaning "fabric"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "the fabric"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation, in this case, "isn't it?"

この会館は美しい建物です。

Kono kaikan wa utsukushii tatemono desu

This association is a beautiful building.

This hall is a beautiful building.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 会館 - noun meaning "headquarters of an organization" or "meeting house"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"

この地域には多くの埋蔵物があると言われています。

Kono chiiki ni wa ooku no maizou butsu ga aru to iwarete imasu

They say there are many items buried in this area.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 地域 - noun that means "region" or "area"
• には - particle that indicates the location or the time when something happens
• 多く - adverb that means "many" or "much"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 埋蔵物 - noun that means "buried treasure" or "ancient artifact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"
• と - particle that indicates the citation of a phrase or idea
• 言われています - verb that means "to say" or "to assert" in the past and present

この建物は明治時代に建てられました。

Kono tatemono wa Meiji jidai ni tateraremashita

This building was built during the Meiji era.

This building was built in the Meiji era.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 明治時代 - compound noun meaning "Meiji Era", a period of Japanese history that took place between 1868 and 1912
• に - particle that indicates the time when something happened, in this case, "it was built in the Meiji Era"
• 建てられました - past passive verb meaning "was built"

この建物は修繕が必要です。

Kono tatemono wa shūzen ga hitsuyō desu

This building needs repairs.

This building requires repair.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• は - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this building"
• 修繕 - noun meaning "repair" or "maintenance"
• が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "repair" or "maintenance"
• 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing oneself in Japanese

この映画の人物はとても魅力的です。

Kono eiga no jinbutsu wa totemo miryokuteki desu

The characters in this movie are very captivating.

The person in this movie is very attractive.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 映画 - noun meaning "film"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 人物 - noun meaning "character"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 魅力的 - adjective meaning "attractive" or "charming"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

この産物はとても高品質です。

Kono sanbutsu wa totemo kouhinshitsu desu

This product is of high quality.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 産物 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 高品質 - compound noun that means "high quality"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この食べ物は不味いです。

Kono tabemono wa mazui desu

This food is bad.

This food is nasty.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 食べ物 - noun that means "food" or "nourishment"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this food"
• 不味い - adjective that means "bad" or "unpleasant" in relation to the taste of food
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form