物

• Reading: もの
• Romaji: mono
• Kanji breakdown: 物 (butsu/mono) — thing, object, matter
• Pronunciation: /mo.no/

Meaning

Thing; object; article; stuff; substance. Refers to tangible, physical items.

Refers to concrete, physical objects as opposed to 事 (koto) which covers abstract matters. Also used in compounds like 食べ物 (food), 飲み物 (drink), and 買い物 (shopping). Can be read as もの or ぶつ depending on context.

Examples

1. この物は誰のですか。 Whose is this thing?
2. 甘い物が好きです。 I like sweet things.
3. 忘れ物をしないでください。 Please don't forget anything.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, shopping, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 物 combines 牛 (cow/ox) and 勿 (a phonetic element). Originally referred to the varied colours of cattle, later generalized to mean 'things' in the broadest sense.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal