物
mono[mo̞no̞]
The English phrase 'stuff' is translated into Japanese as 物 (mono).
物 is a noun used to refer to miscellaneous items or things.
Meaning: miscellaneous items, things (noun)
Which one should you use?
物 (mono) is used specifically for physical, tangible 'stuff' or objects. In contrast, the word 事 (koto) is used for intangible 'stuff' such as concepts, events or matters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is pronounced 'mono'. You can add the suffix たち (tachi) to create 物たち (mono-tachi), which refers to 'things' in a more pluralized or personified sense, although this is less common for inanimate objects than it is for people.
Did you know?
- In Buddhist contexts, 物 is often used in the term 生き物 (ikimono), which refers to any living creature, treating a living soul as a type of 'thing'.
- While 物 refers to physical 'stuff', the word もの can also be used in formal Japanese grammar to express a logical necessity or a natural law, such as 'it is natural that…'.
- In Japanese, the word 物 can describe not only 'stuff' but also the nature or character of a person, as seen in the term 物静か (monoshizuka) for someone who is quiet and composed.
Examples in context
- お前の物はどこ？Where's your stuff?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of someone's 物.Tatoeba #10118065 by bunbuku, translation #12028790 by ddnktr
- 通路に物を置くな。Don't put your stuff in the aisle.This sentence is useful for a command regarding where not to place 物.Tatoeba #125570 by KK_kaku_, translation #13926424 by justpeachy
- 只より高い物はない。Nothing costs more than free stuff.This sentence is useful for a proverb regarding the cost of 物.Tatoeba #2246307 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #10502286 by DJ_Saidez
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are cleaning a room together.
- 陽葵 Himari健太、その物を片付けて。Kenta, sono mono o katazukete.Kenta, please put those things away.
- 健太 Kentaこれは誰の物かな？Kore wa dare no mono kana?I wonder whose stuff this is?
- 陽葵 Himari多分、私の物だよ。Tabun, watashi no mono dayo.It's probably my stuff.
- 健太 Kenta分かった。ここに置いておくね。Wakatta. Koko ni oite oku ne.Got it. I'll leave it here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
