者(もの)

もの

noun, suffix

person (formal/written)

formalperson

See also: 物(もの) (thing, object)

1. person, one who

Refers to a person, typically in formal or written contexts. Often used in compounds or after a modifying clause to mean 'the one who' or 'a person who.'

関係(かんけい)者(もの)のみ入室(にゅうしつ)可(か)。

Authorized persons only.

希望(きぼう)者(もの)は受付(うけつけ)まで申(もう)し出(で)てください。

Those who are interested, please apply at the front desk.

この事件(じけん)の容疑者(ようぎしゃ)はまだ捕(つか)まっていない。

The suspect in this case has not yet been caught.

In compounds, 者(しゃ) is the on'yomi reading. See note below.

者(もの) means 'person' in formal or written contexts. It is distinct from 物(もの) (thing).

Pronunciation

もの: standalone or in some native compounds — 者(もの)
しゃ: in Sino-Japanese compounds — 医者(いしゃ) (doctor), 学者(がくしゃ) (scholar), 記者(きしゃ) (reporter)

COMMON COMPOUNDS (しゃ reading):

患者(かんじゃ): patient
容疑者(ようぎしゃ): suspect
希望者(きぼうしゃ): applicant, person who wishes
関係者(かんけいしゃ): person involved, authorized person
若者(わかもの): young person

CONTRAST WITH 人(ひと):

人(ひと) is the general, everyday word for 'person'
者(もの) is more formal or literary and often appears in official or legal contexts

Related Words

Homophone: 物(もの) (thing, object)

Homophone: もの (grammatical particle)

Compare: 人(ひと) (is the general, everyday word…)

general

Added 2026.2.22 15:51 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31

12500/12734_mono