1.
the real thing, actual item
The physical, actual thing itself, as opposed to a photograph, description, replica, or digital representation.
現物を見てから決めたい。
I want to see the real thing before deciding.
写真よりも現物の方がずっときれいだった。
The real thing was much more beautiful than the photo.
ネットで買ったが、届いた現物がイメージと違っていて返品した。
I bought it online, but the actual item that arrived was different from what I imagined, so I returned it.
2.
spot goods, physical commodities
In finance and business, physical goods or commodities for immediate delivery, as opposed to futures or derivative contracts.
現物取引は先物取引よりリスクが低いとされる。
Spot trading is considered less risky than futures trading.
この証券会社では現物株の手数料が無料になった。
This brokerage firm has made commissions on spot stock trades free.
金の現物を保有することで、インフレに対するリスクヘッジができる。
By holding physical gold, you can hedge against inflation risk.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is used in everyday conversation — when you want to see or evaluate the actual thing rather than a picture or description. Sense 2 is a business and finance term referring to physical commodities or spot transactions.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 現物を確認する (check the actual item)
- 現物支給 (payment in kind)
- 現物取引 (spot trading)
- 現物株 (spot stocks)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 実物: the real thing, actual object (very close to sense 1, slightly more emphasis on authenticity)
- 先物: futures (opposite of sense 2 — contracts for future delivery)