Things and kinds with 物
The kanji 物 means thing or object. It is further used for creatures, items, substances, and recognizable kinds of things.
Because it points so broadly to “a thing out there”, 物 appears in everyday words for belongings and goods as well as in more abstract words for beings, stories, and categories.
Etymology
This kanji is a phono-semantic compound. It combines 牛 (cow) with 勿 as the sound element, originally referring to a cow with mixed or mottled coloring. Over time, it shifted from a specific visible creature to the broader idea of “various things”.
Built Places
動物園 (Zoo)
動物園 means a zoo, a place where animals are kept and displayed.
It combines 動物 (animals) with 園 (grounds) to show a park for animals.
While trying to find something to do, Sacchan and her friends pass by the zoo, which is free for children to enter. Yui asks if Sacchan plans to enter the zoo.
- さっちゃん:
- 「動物園史上一番早く入ってから出てくる」
- “The fastest in zoo history to enter and then leave.”
Goods
荷物 (Luggage)
荷物 means luggage, baggage, or a carried load. It can refer to suitcases, packages, or someone’s belongings in transit.
It combines 荷 (load) with 物 (thing) to show a thing being carried.
After Cocoa suggests if she were saying at Chiya’s place rather than Chino’s, that she’s be working for Chiya’s family’s tea house, Chiya takes to the idea.
- 千夜:
- 「じゃあ部屋を空けておくから早速荷物をまとめて来てね」
- “Then I'll clear out a room in advance, so go gather your things and come right away.”
- ココア:
- 「誰か止めてよ！」
- “Somebody stop her!”
Life Forms
動物 (Animal)
動物 means an animal. It is the standard general word for living creatures that move, especially as contrasted with plants.
It combines 動 (move) with 物 (thing) to show a moving living thing.
Chino is fascinated by the rabbit at a rival tea shop, but she keeps her distance.
- ココア:
- 「触らないの？」
- “You're not going to touch it?”
- リゼ:
- 「チノはティッピー以外の動物が懐かないらしい」
- “It seems that animals other than Tippy don’t warm up to Chino.”
らしい indicates Rize is reporting something she heard or observed, rather than stating it as a confirmed fact.
Materials
毒物 (Poisonous substance)
毒物 means poison or a poisonous substance. It refers to a harmful material that can injure or kill when taken into the body.
It combines 毒 (poison) with 物 (thing) to show a poisonous thing.
Inspector Megure suggests the murder suspect committed suicide by drowning himself. The medical examiner suggests otherwise.
- 監察医:
- 「ですが死因は溺死ではありません…」
- “However, drowning wasn't the cause of death...”
- 目暮:
- 「え？」
- “What?”
- 監察医:
- 「解剖してみないと断定できませんが… おそらく毒物を飲んだあと池に入ったものと…」
- “I can't say for certain without an autopsy... but it's likely he took poison and then entered the pond...”