物(もの)

物(もの) is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, referring to physical objects, abstract things, or general matters. As a noun it typically refers to tangible items, but in combination with adjectives (e.g. 甘(あま)い物(もの)) it means "something [adjective]."

SIMILAR WORDS (もの vs こと):

• 物(もの): concrete or tangible things, or abstract things treated as entities
• こと: abstract matters, facts, events, or actions
• Example: 大切(たいせつ)な物(もの) (a precious thing/item) vs 大切(たいせつ)なこと (an important matter/fact)

Compounds

• 食(た)べ物(もの): food
• 飲(の)み物(もの): drink
• 買(か)い物(もの): shopping
• 着物(きもの): kimono, clothes
• 物語(ものがたり): story, tale
• 荷物(にもつ): luggage, baggage

Common patterns

もの (or もん in casual speech) also appears as a sentence-ending particle expressing explanation, reason, or mild complaint: だって高(たか)いんだもの (But it's expensive!).

Writing

The kanji 物(もの) is used for concrete things. For abstract "things" and in grammar patterns such as 〜ものだ, もの is normally written in hiragana: 人生(じんせい)は難(むずか)しいものだ.