Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
noun HSK 3
wù
thing · object · matter · substance

Meaning

物 is a fundamental Chinese character meaning 'thing' or 'object'. It refers to material objects, substances, or entities in the physical world. This character appears in countless compound words related to objects, possessions, living creatures, and abstract concepts of matter.

Usage

物 rarely stands alone in modern Mandarin and typically appears in compound words. Common combinations include 动物 (animal, literally 'moving thing'), 植物 (plant), 食物 (food), 礼物 (gift), and 物品 (article/item). It carries a neutral, somewhat formal tone and is used across all registers.

Examples

  1. 01
    这个博物馆收藏了很多珍贵的文物。
    Zhège bówùguǎn shōucáng le hěn duō zhēnguì de wénwù.
    This museum has collected many precious cultural relics.
  2. 02
    保护野生动物是每个人的责任。
    Bǎohù yěshēng dòngwù shì měi gè rén de zérèn.
    Protecting wild animals is everyone's responsibility.

Common collocations

  • 动物
    dòng wù
    animal
  • 植物
    zhí wù
    plant
  • 食物
    shí wù
    food
  • 礼物
    lǐ wù
    gift
  • 物品
    wù pǐn
    article, item, goods
  • 人物
    rén wù
    figure, character, person

Origin

The character 物 originally combined 牛 (ox, cattle) with a phonetic component, suggesting the concept of categorizing living creatures, which later extended to mean all things and objects.

Related