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N4
JLPT N4 kanji

物: the kanji for thing and object

物 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means thing, object. Below are its readings, 17 common words and example sentences, all with audio.

thing, objectMeaning
ブツ・モツOn reading
ものKun reading
8Strokes

Stroke order

物 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Words by reading

物 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 16 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).

ブツ (butsu)

On reading.

WordMeaning
どうぶつ · dōbutsuanimal
じんぶつ · jinbutsuperson; character
ぶっか · bukkaprices; cost of living
しょくぶつ · shokubutsuplant
めいぶつ · meibutsulocal specialty
ゆうびんぶつ · yūbinbutsumail

モツ (motsu)

On reading.

WordMeaning
にもつ · nimotsuluggage; package
しょくもつ · shokumotsufood
しょもつ · shomotsubook

もの (mono)

Kun reading.

WordMeaning
もの · monothing
かいもの · kaimonoshopping
たべもの · tabemonofood
のみもの · nomimonodrink
わすれもの · wasuremonosomething left behind
たてもの · tatemonobuilding
きもの · kimonokimono

Special readings to learn as whole words

These words use 物, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.

WordMeaning
くだもの · kudamonofruit

Example sentences for work and daily life

Questions about 物

How many strokes does 物 have?

物 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 物?

The on readings are butsu (ブツ), motsu (モツ). The kun readings are mono (もの).

What should you do if you leave something on a train in Japan?

Go to the station office and say 忘れ物をしました (wasuremono o shimashita), "I left something behind." Lost items in Japan are often returned, and rail companies keep them at a lost-and-found center.

What JLPT level is 物?

N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.

About the JLPT level

The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.

More JLPT N4 kanji

Colors and descriptions

See all 166 JLPT N4 kanji →

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