What is the Kanji for "Thing"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Thing", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Thing" is "物".

This kanji has 3 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Mono".

Its onyomi readings are "Butsu" and "Motsu".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The radical "勿" means "Must not" . And The kanji "牛" means "Cow" and can be read as "Gyuu" and "Ushi".

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "物" mean in japanese?

"物" means "Thing".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

物: "Thing". The Japanese noun '物 (もの)' means 'thing'. This word is used to refer to any physical object or non-living entity. It can be used in a very broad sense to describe a wide variety of items, from common everyday objects to abstract concepts. For example: This is a beautiful thing - (これは素晴らしい物です). I bought a new thing for my room - (私は自分の部屋のための新しい物を買いました).

飲み物: "Drink". The Japanese word '飲み物 (のみもの)' refers to any kind of beverage or drinkable liquid. This noun can be used to describe a wide range of drinks, from water and juice to coffee and alcohol. For example: What would you like to drink? - (何の飲み物がいいですか). I need a cold drink on this hot day - (この暑い日には冷たい飲み物が欲しいです)

人物: "Person". The Japanese noun '人物 (じんぶつ)' refers to an individual human being. It can be used to describe a specific person or people in general. This word is commonly used in contexts such as introducing someone, describing someone's personality or background, or discussing people's roles and characteristics. For example: She is an interesting person - (彼女は興味深い人物だ). The influential person in our company - (うちの会社の影響力のある人物)

買い物: "Shopping". The verbal noun '買い物 (かいもの)' means 'shopping'. This term refers to the act of purchasing goods or services. It is commonly used to describe going to stores, markets, or online platforms to buy various items. For example: I went shopping yesterday - (私は昨日買い物に行った). She enjoys shopping on the weekends - (彼女は週末に買い物を楽しむ).

見物: "Sightseeing". The Japanese verbal noun '見物 (けんぶつ)' means 'sightseeing'. This term is used to describe the act of visiting and observing places of interest, such as tourist attractions, historical sites, or cultural events. It implies a casual, leisurely activity of exploring and experiencing new surroundings. For example: Let's go sightseeing in Kyoto - (京都で見物しましょう). I enjoyed sightseeing at the temple - (寺院で見物を楽しみました).

忘れ物: "Forgotten item". The noun '忘れ物 (わすれもの)' refers to an item that has been forgotten or left behind by someone. This can be something like a wallet, keys, or any other personal belonging that a person has misplaced or unintentionally left in a certain location. For example: I left my wallet behind, it's a forgotten item - (財布を忘れてしまった、それは忘れ物だ). Please check if you forgot anything before leaving - (出発する前に忘れ物がないか確認してください).

動物: "Animal". The Japanese noun '動物 (どうぶつ)' refers to any living, non-human organism. It includes a wide range of creatures such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. '動物' is a general term that encompasses all non-human life forms. For example: I love watching the animals at the zoo - (動物園の動物を見るのが大好きです). The zoo has many different types of animals - (動物園にはさまざまな種類の動物がいます).

乗り物: "Vehicle". The Japanese noun '乗り物 (のりもの)' means 'vehicle'. This word refers to any mode of transportation used to carry people or goods, such as a car, bus, train, plane, ship, etc. It can be used to describe both motorized and non-motorized modes of transport. For example: I went to the store by vehicle - (私は乗り物で店に行きました). What kind of vehicle do you use to commute? - (どんな乗り物で通勤しますか?)

建物: "Building". The noun '建物 (たてもの)' refers to a structure or edifice constructed for human habitation or use, such as a house, apartment, office, or factory. This word is commonly used to describe any type of constructed space, whether residential, commercial, or industrial. For example: The new office building is impressive - (新しい事務所ビルは立派だ). I live in a small apartment building - (私は小さなアパートの建物に住んでいます).

物語: "Story". The Japanese noun '物語 (ものがたり)' means 'story'. This word refers to a narrative of events, either real or fictional, that has a beginning, middle, and end. 物語 can be used to describe books, films, legends, folktales, and other types of storytelling. For example: The book is an interesting story - (その本は興味深い物語だ). The stories passed down for generations - (何世代にもわたり伝えられた物語)

動物園: "Zoo". The Japanese noun '動物園 (どうぶつえん)' refers to a public park or enclosure where wild animals are kept so that people can go and observe them. Zoos serve both educational and entertainment purposes, allowing visitors to learn about and appreciate different species of animals in a controlled and protected environment. For example: We went to the zoo yesterday - (私たちは昨日動物園に行きました). The zoo has many different animals - (動物園にはいろいろな動物がいます).

物質: "Substance". The Japanese noun '物質 (ぶっしつ)' means 'substance'. This word refers to any material or physical matter that has a tangible existence. It can be used to describe various types of materials, both natural and synthetic. For example: Water is a substance - (水は物質です). The substance is composed of atoms - (その物質は原子から成っている).

生物: "Living organism". The noun '生物 (せいぶつ)' refers to any living organism, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It is a general term that encompasses all forms of life. For example: The zoo has many different living organisms - (動物園には様々な生物がいる). Living organisms need water to survive - (生物は生存するために水が必要だ).

植物: "Plant". The Japanese noun '植物 (しょくぶつ)' refers to any organism that is capable of photosynthesis. This includes trees, flowers, grasses, and other vegetation. Plants are an essential part of most ecosystems, providing food and oxygen for other living creatures. Examples: The garden is full of beautiful plants - (庭には美しい植物がいっぱいあります). Do you like to collect rare plants? - (珍しい植物を集めるのが好きですか?)

贈り物: "Gift". The Japanese noun '贈り物 (おくりもの)' means 'gift'. This word refers to an item that is given to someone as a present, usually to show appreciation, gratitude or to celebrate a special occasion. Gifts can range from small tokens to more elaborate and expensive items. For example: She gave me a beautiful gift for my birthday - (彼女は私の誕生日にきれいなプレゼントを贈ってくれた). I received many gifts at the wedding - (結婚式ではたくさんの贈り物をもらった).

博物館: "Museum". The Japanese noun '博物館 (はくぶつかん)' means 'museum'. A museum is an institution that houses a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Museums are places where people can learn about and appreciate various aspects of human history, culture, and the natural world. For example: I went to the art museum yesterday - (私は昨日美術館に行きました). The natural history museum is very interesting - (自然史博物館はとてもおもしろいところです).

食べ物: "Food". The Japanese noun '食べ物 (たべもの)' means 'food'. This word refers to any edible substance that can be consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be used to describe a wide variety of items, from fruits and vegetables to grains and proteins. For example: I love eating various kinds of food - (私はさまざまな食べ物を食べるのが大好きです). Please prepare some food for me - (私のために食べ物を用意してください).

見物人: "Spectator". The Japanese noun '見物人 (けんぶつにん)' means 'spectator'. This word refers to someone who is observing or watching an event, performance, or activity. Spectators are often present at sporting events, shows, demonstrations, or other public gatherings to witness the proceedings. For example: The stadium was filled with enthusiastic spectators - (スタジアムは熱心な見物人でいっぱいだった). There were many spectators lining the street to watch the parade - (パレードを見るために、多くの見物人が道の両側にいた).

入れ物: "Container". The Japanese noun '入れ物 (いれもの)' means 'container'. This word refers to an object that is used to hold or store something. Containers can be made of various materials such as plastic, glass, metal, or even organic materials like wood or bamboo. They can be used to hold liquids, solids, or even smaller objects. For example: This box is a good container for storing my photos - (この箱は写真を保管するのに良い入れ物だ). The vase is a beautiful container for the flowers - (その花瓶は花を入れるのに素敵な入れ物だ).

作物: "Crop". The Japanese noun '作物 (さくもつ)' refers to agricultural crops or cultivated plants that are grown for food, feed, or other uses. This includes grains, vegetables, fruits, and other edible plants that are produced through farming or cultivation. For example: These farmers grow a variety of crops - (この農家は様々な作物を育てています). The potato is an important crop in many countries - (ジャガイモは多くの国で重要な作物です).

荷物: "Luggage". The Japanese noun '荷物 (にもつ)' refers to 'luggage', which includes suitcases, bags, and other items carried when traveling. It can be used to describe a single piece of luggage or a collective group of items. For example: My luggage is heavy - (私の荷物は重い). I have a lot of luggage to carry - (私はたくさんの荷物を持っています).

実物: "Real object". The noun '実物 (じつぶつ)' refers to a real, physical object as opposed to a model, replica, or representation. It is used to emphasize that something is the actual, genuine item rather than a facsimile. For example: I want to see the real object, not just a photograph - (実物を見たいです、写真ではなく). This term is commonly used when discussing items on display, in museums, or in other settings where both authentic objects and replicas may be present.

博物: "Museum". The Japanese noun '博物 (はくぶつ)' refers to a museum, which is an institution that collects, preserves, and displays objects of historical, cultural, artistic, or scientific significance. Museums can cover a wide range of topics, such as art, history, science, or natural history. For example: The museum has an impressive collection of ancient artifacts - (その博物館には歴史的な古代アーティファクトの素晴らしいコレクションがある).

本物: "Real". The noun '本物 (ほんもの)' means 'real' or 'genuine'. It is used to describe something that is authentic, not fake or counterfeit. For example: This watch is real - (この時計は本物です). She bought a real Gucci bag - (彼女は本物のGucciのバッグを買いました).

物理: "Physics". The Japanese noun '物理 (ぶつり)' means 'physics'. Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature and the interactions between matter and energy. It covers a wide range of topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. For example: I am studying physics in university - (私は大学で物理を勉強しています).

物凄い: "Tremendous" or "Incredible". The Japanese adjective '物凄い (ものすごい)' can mean 'tremendous' or 'incredible'. It is used to express that something is extremely large, powerful, or intense in a positive way. For example: That storm was tremendous - (あの嵐は物凄かった). The actor's performance was incredible - (俳優の演技は物凄かった)

織物: "Fabric". The Japanese noun '織物 (おりもの)' refers to fabric or cloth. It encompasses any woven material, including textiles, linens, and other woven products. Fabric is an essential material used in the manufacturing of clothing, upholstery, and many other everyday items. For example: She likes to sew her own clothes using high-quality fabrics - (彼女は良い素材の織物を使ってお洋服を縫うのが好きです).

落とし物: "Lost item". The Japanese word '落とし物 (おとしもの)' refers to an item that has been accidentally dropped or misplaced by its owner. It is a common noun used to describe any kind of object that has been lost or found, such as a wallet, keys, or a piece of jewelry. For example: I found a lost item at the train station - (私は駅で落とし物を見つけました).

洗い物: "Dishes". The Japanese noun '洗い物 (あらいもの)' refers to the dishes or tableware that need to be washed. It is used to describe the collection of items that require cleaning after a meal or cooking session. For example: I need to do the dishes - (洗い物をしなければいけない). She is washing the dishes - (彼女は洗い物をしている).

着物: "Kimono". The Japanese noun '着物 (きもの)' refers to a type of traditional Japanese garment, typically made of fine fabric and featuring elaborate designs. Kimonos are worn on formal or ceremonial occasions and are considered a symbol of Japanese culture. They are characterized by long, wide sleeves and a rectangular body, and are typically secured at the waist with a sash called an 'obi'. For example: She wore a beautiful kimono to the wedding - (彼女は結婚式に素敵な着物を着ていた).

植物園: "Botanical garden". The Japanese noun '植物園 (しょくぶつえん)' refers to a botanical garden, which is a garden where a wide variety of plants are cultivated, studied, and displayed for educational, scientific, and recreational purposes. Botanical gardens often contain rare or endangered plant species, as well as plants from different regions of the world. For example: Let's go to the botanical garden to see the beautiful flowers - (きれいな花を見るために植物園へ行きましょう).

物事: "Matter" or "Thing". The Japanese noun '物事 (ものごと)' refers to a matter, issue, situation or thing. It is a general term that can be used to describe a wide range of concepts, events or objects. For example: I have an important matter to discuss - (私は議論するために重要な物事がある). These are the important things we need to consider - (これらは私たちが考慮する必要がある重要な物事です).

生き物: "Creature". The Japanese noun '生き物 (いきもの)' means 'creature'. This word is used to refer to any living being, including animals, insects, plants, and even humans. It can be used in a general sense to talk about living things, or to specifically refer to a certain type of creature. For example: There are many creatures in the forest - (森には多くの生き物がいる). I saw an interesting creature today - (今日面白い生き物を見ました).

食物: "Food". The Japanese noun '食物 (しょくもつ)' refers to any substance that can be consumed for nourishment or pleasure. It includes a wide range of edible items such as fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy products.食物 is a general term that encompasses all kinds of foods and beverages. For example: I eat healthy food - (私は健康的な食物を食べる). This meal has a lot of different foods - (この食事には様々な食物がある).

書物: "Book". The Japanese word '書物 (しょもつ)' refers to a book, manuscript, or other written material. This word emphasizes the physical, tangible nature of the written work, in contrast with the more abstract concept of 'text' or 'literature'. '書物' is commonly used to describe bound volumes, scrolls, or other traditional forms of the written word. For example: The old library contained many valuable books - (その古い図書館には価値のある書物がたくさんあった)

物価: "Prices". The noun '物価 (ぶっか)' refers to the general level or index of prices for goods and services in an economy. It is used to describe the overall cost of living and is an important economic indicator. For example: Prices have risen, the cost of living is high - (物価が上がった、生活コストが高い). The rising prices are affecting our daily lives - (物価の上昇が私たちの日常生活に影響している).

物体: "Object". The Japanese noun '物体 (ぶったい)' means 'object'. It refers to a physical, tangible entity or thing. '物体' can be used to describe any kind of material object, whether it is natural or man-made. For example: That object is made of wood - (あの物体は木製だ). The object on the table is a cup - (テーブルの上にある物体はコップです).

名物: "Specialty". The Japanese noun '名物 (めいぶつ)' refers to a specialty or famous local product or dish associated with a particular region or place. It suggests something that is unique, representative or a point of pride for that locality. For example: This restaurant is known for its specialty dishes - (この店は名物料理で有名です). Kyoto is famous for its many local specialties - (京都には名物がたくさんある).

物知り: "Knowledgeable". The noun '物知り (ものしり)' means 'knowledgeable'. This word describes someone who has a wide breadth of knowledge or is well-informed about many different topics. It conveys the idea of being intelligent, erudite, or highly educated. For example: He is a knowledgeable person - (彼は物知りの人である). She is very knowledgeable about history - (彼女は歴史に関してとても物知りである).

物覚え: "Memory". The Japanese noun '物覚え (ものおぼえ)' means 'memory'. This word refers to the ability to remember things, information, or experiences. It can be used to describe someone's capacity for remembering, or the act of remembering itself. For example: My memory is good - (私の物覚えは良い). He has a good memory - (彼は物覚えがいい).

持ち物: "Possession". The noun '持ち物 (もちもの)' means 'possession'. It refers to items that someone owns or has with them. This word is commonly used to describe personal belongings or items that a person carries. For example: I forgot my possession - (私の持ち物を忘れた). She brought her possessions - (彼女は自分の持ち物を持ってきた).

無生物: "Inanimate object". The Japanese noun '無生物 (むせいぶつ)' refers to an 'inanimate object', something that is not living and does not have life. This includes things like rocks, metals, plastics, and other non-organic materials. For example: Rocks and metals are inanimate objects - (石や金属は無生物です). The vase is an inanimate object - (その花瓶は無生物だ).

品物: "Goods". The Japanese noun '品物 (しなもの)' means 'goods'. This word refers to various types of merchandise, products or commodities that are bought and sold. It can be used to describe a wide range of physical items, from clothing and electronics to food and household items. For example: The store has many goods for sale - (その店には品物がたくさん売っている). I need to buy some goods at the market - (私は市場で品物を買わなければならない).

物差し: "Ruler". 物差し (ものさし)' is a Japanese noun that means 'ruler'. A ruler is a straight measuring tool, typically made of wood, plastic or metal, used to measure the length or height of an object. It is a common tool found in homes, schools and offices. Example sentences: I need to use a ruler to measure the length of this table - (このテーブルの長さを測るために物差しが必要です). The ruler shows the object is 15 centimeters long - (物差しでは、その物体は15センチメートルの長さがあることが分かります).

物音: "Noise". The Japanese noun '物音 (ものおと)' means 'noise'. This word refers to any sound or sounds that occur without apparent human causation, such as noises from inanimate objects or natural phenomena. It can be used to describe various types of ambient sounds, like the rustling of leaves, creaking of floorboards, or sounds of nature. For example: I heard a strange noise coming from the attic - (私は屋根裏から変な物音がするのを聞きました).

物資: "Supplies". The noun '物資 (ぶっし)' refers to supplies, provisions, or materials. It is used to describe essential goods or resources, often in the context of logistics, distribution, or the availability of necessary items. For example: The government provided food and other supplies to the affected areas - (政府は被災地に食料と他の物資を提供しました).

物語る: "Tell". The Japanese verb '物語る (ものがたる)' means 'to tell'. This verb is used to describe the act of narrating or recounting a story, tale or account. It implies sharing information or conveying a sequence of events in a narrative fashion. For example: I will tell you a story - (物語を物語ろう). The author told a fascinating tale - (作者は魅力的な物語を物語った).

物件: "Property". The Japanese noun 物件 (ぶっけん) refers to a piece of real estate or property, such as a house, apartment, or office space. This term is commonly used when discussing real estate transactions, rentals, or property management. For example: My family is looking to buy a new property - (私の家族は新しい物件を探しています). The apartment building is a good property investment - (そのアパートは良い物件の投資です).

果物: "Fruit". The noun '果物 (くだもの)' means 'fruit'. It refers to the edible part of a plant that contains seeds. Fruits come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, and can be sweet, sour, or even savory. They are an important part of a healthy diet. For example: I like to eat different kinds of fruit - (私はいろいろな果物を食べるのが好きです). Let's buy some fresh fruit at the market - (市場で新鮮な果物を買いましょう).

何物: "What". The noun '何物 (なにもの)' means 'what'. It is used to ask about the identity or nature of something. It can refer to both concrete and abstract things. For example: What is that? - (あれは何物ですか). What do you want? - (何物が欲しいですか).

貨物: "Cargo". The Japanese noun '貨物 (かもつ)' means 'cargo'. It refers to goods or merchandise transported, especially in bulk, by ship, train, truck, or aircraft. 貨物 is commonly used to describe the freight or the load being transported, as opposed to the vehicle or vessel carrying it. For example: The cargo ship was loaded with valuable cargo - (その貨物船は高価な貨物を満載していた). The truck was transporting large cargo - (トラックは大きな貨物を運んでいた).

偽物: "Fake" or "Counterfeit". The Japanese noun '偽物 (にせもの)' means 'fake' or 'counterfeit'. It refers to something that is not genuine, but is made to look like the original or authentic item. This could include fake designer goods, imitation products, or anything that is intended to deceive by appearing to be the real thing. For example: This watch is a fake - (この時計は偽物だ). I bought counterfeit sunglasses - (偽物のサングラスを買った).

履物: "Footwear". The noun '履物 (はきもの)' means 'footwear'. It refers to any kind of shoes, boots, sandals, or other coverings for the feet. This can include casual everyday wear as well as more formal or specialized footwear. For example: I need to buy new footwear - (新しい履物を買う必要がある). What kind of footwear do you recommend? - (どんな履物をおすすめしますか?)

物陰: "Shadow". The Japanese noun '物陰 (ものかげ)' refers to a shadow or shaded area, often behind or beyond an object. It can be used to describe a secluded or hidden place that is out of sight. For example: I saw something move in the shadow - (物陰に何かが動くのが見えた). The plants grew in the shadow of the tree - (木の物陰で植物が育った).

漬け物: "Pickled". The Japanese noun '漬け物 (つけもの)' refers to various types of pickled vegetables or other foods. These are common side dishes in Japanese cuisine, where vegetables, fruits, or other ingredients are preserved by soaking them in a salt, vinegar, or other acidic brine mixture. The resulting 'tsukemono' develop a distinct flavor and crunchy texture. For example: I like to eat pickled radish - (私は漬け物のだいこんが好きです).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "ぶ" is read as "bu". The hiragana "つ" is read as "tsu". The hiragana "も" is read as "mo". And The hiragana "の" is read as "no".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.