水物(みずもの)

みずもの
noun
matter of chance; unpredictable thing
abstractbusiness
1. matter of chance; unpredictable thing
Something whose outcome cannot be predicted and depends heavily on luck or circumstance, such as a contest, election, or business venture.
勝負(しょうぶ)は水物(みずもの)だ。
A contest is a matter of chance.
選挙(せんきょ)は水物(みずもの)だとよく言(い)われる。
Elections are often said to be unpredictable.
商売(しょうばい)は水物(みずもの)で、来年(らいねん)どうなるかは誰(だれ)にも分(わ)からない。
Business is unpredictable; no one knows what next year will bring.

Almost always used as a predicate (Xは水物(みずもの)だ) to stress that an outcome is uncertain. Literally "water thing," from the image of something that flows and keeps changing.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 運次第(うんしだい): depending on luck — focuses specifically on luck
  • 不確実(ふかくじつ): uncertain — neutral and more formal

Related Words

Compare: 不確実(ふかくじつ) (uncertain)
general
Added 2026.5.25 11:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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