実物
Meaning in Englishan actual thing
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
実物 refers to the real object itself, not a representation, sample, or model; it emphasizes tangible reality and authenticity in contrast to photographs, drawings, or descriptions. It is used when confirming the existence or presence of the original item and is neutral in tone, suitable for everyday and formal contexts.
Main meanings
- Real object vs. representation in demonstrations or sales
- Authenticity or genuineness emphasis when comparing to pictures or samples
- In museums, exhibitions, or education, the term labels the tangible specimen
How to use it
Used in shopping, auctions, appraisal, education, journalism, and everyday speech when contrasting the tangible item with images, samples, or descriptions; suitable for both formal and casual contexts, with a neutral tone.
Variants and close terms
- 本物 (honmono) — real article
- 現物 (genbutsu) — the actual item
Composition
- 実 — real, true; jitsu
- 物 — thing, object; butsu
Etymology
実 (jitsu) + 物 (butsu) form the compound 実物; pronunciation has remained the standard on'yomi in modern Japanese, a typical Sino-Japanese compound without native reading.
Origin
In classical Japanese, the concept existed to distinguish the tangible from descriptions; by the Edo period, merchants, exhibitors, and scholars increasingly used 実物 to refer to the actual item in contrast to samples, drawings, or photos, reflecting the growth of commerce and display culture.
Word class
Noun (名詞)