Japanese word

こと

Pronunciation

Romajikoto

Meaning

  • nounthing

Example

これは大事なことです。ko re wa dai ji na ko to de su

This is an important thing.

Illustration for こと (thing)

More examples

大切なことを忘れません。tai setsu na ko to o wasu re ma se n

I will not forget important things.

わからないことがあれば、先生に聞いてください。wa ka ra na i ko to ga a re ba sen sei ni ki i te ku da sa i

If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your teacher.

Core concept

The noun こと (koto) treats an object, event, or issue as one identifiable matter, allowing thing to refer to both physical and abstract subjects.

Common phrases

  • ことがあるko to ga a ru

    have done before

  • ことができるko to ga de ki ru

    be able to do

  • ことにするko to ni su ru

    decide to do

  • ことについてko to ni tsu i te

    about the matter

  • 大事なことdai ji na ko to

    important thing

Similar words

物mono: A physical object treated as one separate item.

Definition in Japanese

物や出来事、問題など、対象として取り上げる事柄。mono ya de ki goto mon dai na do tai shō to shi te to ri a ge ru koto gara

Word origin

The native Japanese noun こと (koto) is commonly written 事 (koto, "matter") in this sense; its possible historical link to 言 (koto, "word") remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect thing to mean only a physical object, but こと (koto) often names an event, idea, or concern as well.

Other meanings

  • matternoun

Word lists with this word