本物
Meaning in Englishgenuine article
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 本物 mean? It designates the real thing—the genuine article rather than a replica. Used to indicate authenticity, legitimacy, and high quality in objects, brands, and claims, and can modify nouns with 本物の to describe something as truly authentic.
Main meanings
- Authenticity of a tangible object: not counterfeit, the genuine article
- Genuine quality or essence: describing something as truly authentic or of high quality
- Figurative use: referring to a person, performance, or style as the real deal
How to use it
Used as a noun to denote authenticity; can modify nouns with の to form 本物のX, describing something as genuinely authentic. Common in product descriptions, marketplaces, reviews, and casual conversation when confirming genuineness of items or claims.
Variants and close terms
- 実物 jitsubutsu — real object, real thing
- 真物 shinbutsu — genuine article
- 偽物 nisemono — counterfeit, fake
- 正真正銘 shōshinmei — truly genuine, the real deal
Composition
- 本: root, base; used here to signal authenticity
- 物: thing, object
Etymology
本 hon (root, base) and 物 mono (thing); together read honmono, literally the true thing, used to convey genuineness.
Origin
Historically used since the Edo period in commerce and culture to distinguish authentic goods from forgeries; today it appears in shopping, art, media, and everyday speech to confirm authenticity.
Word class
noun (名詞)