Japanese word

現物

Pronunciation

Romajigenbutsu

Meaning

  • nounactual item

Example

写真ではなく、現物を見せてください。sha shin de wa na ku gen butsu o mi se te ku da sa i

Please show me the actual item, not a photo.

Illustration for 現物 (actual item)

More examples

画面上の情報だけでなく、現物の質感も確かめたいです。ga men jō no jō hō da ke de na ku gen butsu no shitsu kan mo tashi ka me ta i de su

I want to check the texture of the actual item, not just the information on the screen.

Core concept

Centers on the tangible thing itself, rather than a picture, description, or representation of it.

Common phrases

  • 現物を確認するgen butsu o kaku nin su ru

    check the actual item

  • 現物を見せるgen butsu o mi se ru

    show the actual item

  • 現物を手に取るgen butsu o te ni to ru

    pick up the actual item

Similar words

実物jitsubutsu: The real thing itself, rather than a picture, model, or description.
本物honmono: A genuine item that is not fake, copied, or an imitation.
現品genpin: The specific item available for inspection, sale, or delivery.

Definition in Japanese

写真や説明ではなく、実際に目の前にある品物。sha shin ya setsu mei de wa na ku jis sai ni me no mae ni a ru shina mono

Word origin

現物 (genbutsu) combines 現 (gen, "present or real") and 物 (butsu, "thing"), giving the sense of the thing that is actually present.

Usage tips

  • In shopping and business Japanese, 現物 (genbutsu) often marks a contrast with a photo, sample, or catalog description when inspection matters.

Other meanings

  • physical goodsnoun

Word lists with this word