物質

• Reading: ぶっしつ
• Romaji: busshitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 物 (butsu/mono) — thing; 質 (shitsu) — quality, nature
• Pronunciation: /bɯs.ɕi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Material; substance; matter. Physical material that has mass and occupies space.

A noun used in scientific and everyday contexts for physical materials and substances. Common compounds: 化学物質 (kagaku busshitsu, chemical substance), 有害物質 (yuugai busshitsu, harmful substance), 物質的 (busshitsuteki, material/materialistic). Often contrasted with 精神 (seishin, spirit/mind) in philosophical discussions about materialism versus spiritualism.

Examples

1. この物質は水に溶けやすい性質を持っている。 This substance has the property of dissolving easily in water.
2. 有害な物質が含まれていないか検査した。 We tested whether it contains any harmful substances.
3. 物質的な豊かさだけでは幸せになれない。 Material wealth alone cannot make you happy.

Usage Guide

Context: science, chemistry, philosophy

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Compound of 物 (butsu, thing) and 質 (shitsu, quality/nature). Together: the quality or nature of things — substance, matter.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal