建物

• Reading: たてもの
• Romaji: tatemono
• Kanji breakdown: 建 (tate) — build, construct; 物 (mono) — thing
• Pronunciation: /ta.te.mo.no/

Meaning

Building; structure. Any constructed structure such as a house, office, or school.

A general noun for any kind of building. Formed from 建てる (to build) + 物 (thing). Used for everything from houses to skyscrapers. Unlike 建築 (architecture/construction), 建物 focuses on the completed structure itself.

Examples

1. この建物は百年以上前に建てられました。 This building was built over a hundred years ago.
2. 駅の近くに高い建物がたくさんあります。 There are a lot of tall buildings near the station.
3. 地震のとき建物の外に出てはいけません。 You must not go outside the building during an earthquake.

Usage Guide

Context: architecture, daily life, directions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 建て (from 建てる, to build) and 物 (thing). Literally 'a built thing' — a structure created through construction.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal