Readings: ぶつ, もつ (Onyomi), もの (Kunyomi)
Meaning: thing, object, matter
The kanji 物 combines 牛 (cow, ox) and 勿 (a phonetic component that originally meant “do not” but here signifies sound). Originally, it depicted a speckled ox, a valuable commodity. Over time, its meaning generalized to “thing,” “object,” or “matter” in general, referring to anything that exists.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 物 has 8 strokes. Start with the left part, the 牛 radical, drawing the horizontal line, then the vertical, followed by the two short strokes on top and the long horizontal stroke. Then, add the 勿 part on the right, starting with the vertical stroke, followed by the two diagonal strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 牛 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 物 (butsu)
- 物 (motsu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 物 (mono)
Common Words Using 物
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 動物 | どうぶつ | animal |
| 植物 | しょくぶつ | plant |
| 生物 | せいぶつ | living creature |
| 物理 | ぶつり | physics |
| 物質 | ぶっしつ | material, substance |
| 博物館 | はくぶつかん | museum |
| 物価 | ぶっか | commodity prices |
| 貨物 | かもつ | freight, cargo |
| 薬物 | やくぶつ | drug, chemical substance |
| 荷物 | にもつ | luggage, baggage |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 物 | もの | thing, object |
| 食べ物 | たべもの | food |
| 飲み物 | のみもの | drink |
| 買い物 | かいもの | shopping |
| 贈り物 | おくりもの | gift |
| 着物 | きもの | traditional Japanese clothing |
| 宝物 | たからもの | treasure |
| 物語 | ものがたり | tale, story |
| 生き物 | いきもの | living thing |
| 入れ物 | いれもの | container |
Example Sentences
Japanese: これは便利な物です。
Kana: これはべんりなものです。
Romaji: Kore wa benri na mono desu.
English: This is a useful thing.
Japanese: どんな食べ物が好きですか？
Kana: どんなたべものがすきですか？
Romaji: Donna tabemono ga suki desu ka?
English: What kind of food do you like?
Japanese: 荷物を運んでください。
Kana: にもつをはこんでください。
Romaji: Nimotsu o hakonde kudasai.
English: Please carry the luggage.
Japanese: 何か物を買いたいです。
Kana: なにかものをかいたいです。
Romaji: Nanika mono o kaitai desu.
English: I want to buy some things.
Japanese: 動物は生き物です。
Kana: どうぶつはいきものです。
Romaji: Dōbutsu wa ikimono desu.
English: Animals are living things.
Japanese: この建物は古いです。
Kana: このたてものはふるいです。
Romaji: Kono tatemono wa furui desu.
English: This building is old.
Japanese: 物理は難しいです。
Kana: ぶつりはむずかしいです。
Romaji: Butsuri wa muzukashii desu.
English: Physics is difficult.
Japanese: 彼女は私に美しい贈り物をくれました。
Kana: かのじょはわたしにうつくしいおくりものをくれました。
Romaji: Kanojo wa watashi ni utsukushii okurimono o kuremashita.
English: She gave me a beautiful gift.
Japanese: 私は古い物語を読むのが好きです。
Kana: わたしはふるいものがたりをよむのがすきです。
Romaji: Watashi wa furui monogatari o yomu no ga suki desu.
English: I enjoy reading old stories.
Japanese: 物価が上がりました。
Kana: ぶっかがあがりました。
Romaji: Bukka ga agarimashita.
English: The prices of goods have increased.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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