1.
found object; something picked up
An object that someone has found lying on the ground or left behind. Used for items found by chance.
拾い物は交番に届けよう。
Let's turn in found items at the police box.
道で拾い物をしたら、警察に届ける義務がある。
If you find something on the street, you have an obligation to report it to the police.
この財布は拾い物ですので、持ち主を探しています。
This wallet was found, so we are looking for its owner.
2.
unexpected find; windfall; lucky discovery
Something unexpectedly good that one comes across by luck. Used figuratively for bargains, surprisingly talented people, or fortunate discoveries.
このセールは拾い物だった。
This sale was a real find.
無名の選手だったが、今シーズンは拾い物と言える活躍だ。
He was an unknown player, but his performance this season can be called a real find.
古本屋で見つけた初版本は、思いがけない拾い物だった。
The first edition I found at the used bookstore was an unexpected windfall.
USAGE:
Sense 1 (literal found object) is common in everyday and legal contexts. Japan has a strong culture of turning in found items, and 拾い物 is the standard term used at police boxes and lost-and-found offices.
Sense 2 (figurative windfall) is commonly used in sports, shopping, and entertainment contexts to describe surprisingly good discoveries.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 拾い物をする (find/pick up something)
- 拾い物を届ける (turn in a found item)
- 思わぬ拾い物 (unexpected find)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 落とし物: lost item — the perspective of the person who lost it
- 掘り出し物: bargain, treasure find — specifically a valuable item found at a low price