1.
accessories; small items; knick-knacks
Small objects or accessories, especially fashion accessories like bags, scarves, and jewelry, or small household items and decorations.
かわいい小物を集めている。
I collect cute accessories.
旅行の小物を整理してバッグに入れた。
I organized my travel accessories and put them in a bag.
この雑貨屋は手作りの小物がたくさん売られていて楽しい。
This general store is fun because they sell lots of handmade accessories.
2.
small-time person; minor figure
A person of little importance or influence. Used disparagingly to describe someone who lacks ambition, presence, or capability.
あいつは所詮小物だ。
He's nothing but a small fry after all.
大物ぶっているが、やることは小物だ。
He acts like a big shot, but what he does is small-time.
小物の悪党ばかりで、真の黒幕はまだ捕まっていない。
Only small-time villains have been caught; the true mastermind is still at large.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is the primary meaning, widely used in fashion, travel, and home decor contexts. Sense 2 is colloquial and disparaging, often contrasted with 大物 (big shot).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ファッション小物 (fashion accessories)
- 小物入れ (accessory case, small item pouch)
- 小物類 (small items, accessories in general)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- アクセサリー: specifically jewelry and fashion accessories
- 雑貨: miscellaneous goods, sundries — a broader category