モノ
mono
In Japanese, モノ (mono) is used to describe something having only a single audio channel.
The term モノ is an adjective used to describe audio that is mono, rather than stereo.
Meaning: having only a single audio channel (adj)
Which one should you use?
The informal variation もん is used in casual, everyday speech, whereas 物品 (buppin) and 品 (shina) are more specialized terms for physical goods.
How do you pronounce it?
mono
Did you know?
- In Japanese audio production, the term モノラル (monoral) is often used as a more formal or technical alternative to the shortened モノ.
- Because モノ is written in katakana, it is visually distinct from the native Japanese word for 'thing', which is also pronounced 'mono' but typically written with the kanji 物.
- The term モノ is a direct loanword from English, which is why it follows the phonetic patterns of Japanese katakana rather than native Japanese.
Examples in context
- 間違いの本当の原因を見つけることが大切なものです。Finding the true cause of mistakes is essential.
- 当店では高品質な国産品を取り扱っております。We deal with high-quality domestic goods in our store.
- あの人、本当に面白いもんだよね。That person is really funny, you know.
- 明日はみんなで遊びに行くもん！We're all going to have fun together tomorrow!
- モノ再生の設定を確認してください。Mono saisei no settei o kakunin shite kudasai.Please check the mono playback settings.
- モノ音源を使っています。Mono ongen o tsukatte imasu.I am using a mono audio source.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are checking a new speaker setup at home.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、このスピーカーの音はどうかな？Yui, kono supiikaa no oto wa dou kana?Yui, how does this speaker sound?
- 結衣 Yuiなんだかモノっぽく聞こえるよ。Nandaka mono ppoku kikoeru yo.It sounds a bit like mono.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、モノになっているね。Hontou da, mono ni natte iru ne.You're right, it's set to mono.
- 結衣 Yuiステレオに設定し直そう。Sutereo ni settei naosou.Let's change it back to stereo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mono” translations and entries モノ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries モノ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
