Goods and refinement with 品
The kanji 品 began as several objects gathered together. Today it commonly means an article, item, or goods.
It can also mean quality or grade. When used for people or behavior, it means refinement or dignity.
Goods
商品 (Product)
商品 is a product or item offered for sale.
It combines 商 (commerce) with 品 (goods) to show goods for sale.
Akari receives her first commission as an Undine gondolier, but rather than taking someone sightseeing, it’s for transporting glassware.
- 灯里:
- 「デリケートな商品だから輸送はのんびりした船が最適だって…」
- “Since it's a delicate item, a slow-moving gondola is the best for transport...”
食品 (Food product)
食品 refers to food as a product, including ingredients and ready-to-eat items.
It combines 食 (food) with 品 (product) to show food treated as a product.
Mao needs Hiro to go grocery shopping with her due to a sale that’s limited per customer. She tells him the plan is to start by grabbing everyday household items first.
- 真魚:
- 「それから食品へ」
- “Then move on to food.”
- 「ただし２人きりなので欲張り禁止」
- “But since it's just the two of us, no hoarding allowed!”
- 「硬く重いものからカゴに入れていく素早く！！」
- “Quickly start putting hard, heavy items into the basket!!”
- 基:
- 「了解 了解」
- “Roger that.”
粗品 (Small gift)
粗品 is the humble term for a small gift. It plays down the gift’s value.
It combines 粗 (coarse) with 品 (item) to show an item presented as nothing fancy.
Jumbo helps his friend Yousuke move into his new house. After unboxing things, Yousuke stops for a break.
- 葉介:
- 「なんか俺 体力低下してんなあ… 手がふるふる…」
- “Man, I feel like my stamina is dropping... My hands are shaking...”
- ジャンボ:
- 「おまえさ 近所にあいさつで配る粗品とか用意してるか？」
- “Hey, are you preparing any little gifts to hand out to your neighbors when you go around saying hello?”
Refinement
上品 (Elegant)
上品 means elegant or refined in manner or appearance.
It combines 上 (high) with 品 (refinement) to show high refinement.
Cocoa tries to show off her ability to recognize the three types of coffee Chino made for her.
- ココア:
- 「この上品な香り！ これがブルーマウンテンかー」
- “What a refined aroma! So this is Blue Mountain, huh?”
- チノ:
- 「いいえコロンビアです」
- “No, that's Columbian.”