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:

この建物の水準は非常に高いです。

Kono tatemono no suijun wa hijō ni takai desu

The level of this building is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building" or "construction"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 水準 - noun meaning "level" or "standard"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb ser/ estar in the present tense, indicating affirmation or politeness

この地方の名物は何ですか？

Kono chihō no meibutsu wa nan desu ka?

What is the specialty of this region?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 地方 - noun meaning "region"
• の - Possession particle
• 名物 - noun that means "culinary specialty"
• は - Topic particle
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle

この実物はとても美しいです。

Kono jitsubutsu wa totemo utsukushii desu

This royal piece is very beautiful.

This real thing is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 実物 - noun that means "real object"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "実物"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この建物はとても美しいです。

Kono tatemono wa totemo utsukushii desu

This construction is very beautiful.

This building is very beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この建物は階層が高いです。

Kono tatemono wa kaisou ga takai desu

This building has many floors.

This building has a high level.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 建物 - noun meaning "building"
• は - topic particle indicating that the building is the subject of the sentence
• 階層 - noun meaning "floors" or "levels"
• が - subject particle indicating that "floors" is the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective meaning "tall"
• です - verb to be in the present tense

この物体は何ですか？

Kono buttai wa nan desu ka?

What is this object?

What is this object?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 物体 - noun meaning "object" or "body"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question

この着物の模様は美しいですね。

Kono kimono no moyou wa utsukushii desu ne

The pattern of this kimono is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 着物 - The word that means "kimono," a traditional Japanese garment.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 模様 - word that means "pattern" or "design"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates courtesy or formality
• ね - particle that indicates confirmation or agreement

この荷物は重いです。

Kono nimotsu wa omoi desu

This bag is heavy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 荷物 - noun meaning "luggage" or "heavy baggage"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this luggage"
• 重い - adjective meaning "heavy"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この荷物は重たいです。

Kono nimotsu wa omotai desu

This bag is heavy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 荷物 - noun meaning "luggage"
• は - topic particle indicating that "this luggage" is the subject of the sentence
• 重たい - adjective meaning "heavy"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この食事は物足りないです。

Kono shokuji wa monotarinai desu

This meal is not satisfying.

This meal is unsatisfactory.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 食事 - noun meaning "meal"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 物足りない - adjective meaning "insufficient", "not satisfactory"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form