拾(ひろ)い物(もの)

ひらいもの
noun
found object; unexpected find; windfall
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(ひろ)い物(もの)は交番(こうばん)に届(とど)けよう。
Let's turn in found items at the police box.
道(みち)で拾(ひろ)い物(もの)をしたら、警察(けいさつ)に届(とど)ける義務(ぎむ)がある。
If you find something on the street, you have an obligation to report it to the police.
この財布(さいふ)は拾(ひろ)い物(もの)ですので、持(も)ち主(ぬし)を探(さが)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(ひろ)い物(もの)だった。
This sale was a real find.
無名(むめい)の選手(せんしゅ)だったが、今(いま)シーズンは拾(ひろ)い物(もの)と言(い)える活躍(かつやく)だ。
He was an unknown player, but his performance this season can be called a real find.
古本屋(ふるほんや)で見(み)つけた初版本(しょはんぼん)は、思(おも)いがけない拾(ひろ)い物(もの)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(ひろ)い物(もの) 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

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 落(お)とし物(もの) (lost item)
Compare: 掘(ほ)り出(だ)し物(もの) (bargain, treasure find)
general
Added 2026.3.19 19:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17979_hiraimono