Definitions

(noun) thing; object; matter
(noun) physical matter; material

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "variety", depicting the variety of colors on a cow. Later the meaning shifted to "things".

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 物 is a phono-semantic compound, with the left-side radical 牛 (ox) indicating its semantic category and the right-side component 勿 providing the phonetic element. In ancient agricultural societies, cattle were fundamental possessions, so the ox radical was chosen to represent material assets. Over time, the meaning expanded from livestock to encompass any physical object, tangible matter, or living creature, becoming the general term for "thing" or "matter". This structure forms the basis for a wide range of vocabulary in fields like physics, biology, and everyday material objects.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢小动

Wǒ xǐhuān xiǎo dòngwù.

I like small animals.

这个食很好吃。

Zhège shíwù hěn hǎochī.

This food is delicious.

需要阳光。

Zhíwù xūyào yángguāng.

Plants need sunlight.

我收到一个礼

Wǒ shōudào yī gè lǐwù.

I received a gift.

请保管好你的品。

Qǐng bǎoguǎn hǎo nǐ de wùpǐn.

Please take good care of your belongings.

水是重要的质。

Shuǐ shì zhòngyào de wùzhì.

Water is an important substance.

我对理很感兴趣。

Wǒ duì wùlǐ hěn gǎn xìngqù.

I am very interested in physics.

馆里有很多历史文

Bówùguǎn lǐ yǒu hěn duō lìshǐ wénwù.

There are many historical artifacts in the museum.