What is the difference between the two words "mono" and "koto"? / Japanese Learning Support LLC
What is the difference between the two words, "mono" and "koto"?
Welcome to the JLS blog page, where we continue to explore the concept of "differences" today!
Since the theme is "things vs. events," let's start by making a simple distinction.
Let's think about it by answering the quiz!
"Mono" is a physical object.
Q: What is this?
....
Hint ① You often see it on the table during meals.
Hint ② It is the "thing" on which you place your chopsticks .
....
A: It's a chopstick rest.
"koto" means matter or thing.
Q: What is this?
Hint ① It means "thing" or "object" of studying.
Hint ② The "thing" is to review your textbook and notes again after the lesson.
....
A: "Review."
From the quiz sentences above, you can probably understand what "thing" and "matter" mean as fundamental words.
From one perspective, the key difference between a "thing" and an "experience" seems to be that it can be "touched" (or "felt").
but,,,,
When writing or having more casual conversations , there are several points that simply cannot be understood from this one point alone .
Now, in today's article, let's think together about how to use "things" and "things" in spoken Japanese.
The path to becoming fluent in Japanese begins with consistent, daily study.
Thank you very much for visiting the JLS blog.
① Sentence patterns using "koto" (basic sentence structure)
② Let's talk about "things" using ' feelings (emotional )'.
③ Strict rules taught through actions!
④ "Thing" or "Event" + "... !? "
*Bonus tip: It's also important etiquette to use "...and so" to make excuses.*
① Sentence patterns using "koto" (basic sentence structure)
[to be able to do something]
Example sentence: I can write all the station names on the Yamanote Line in kanji.
Meaning: I have a skill . That skill is being able to "write" all the names of the Yamanote Line stations in kanji. / I can write them .
In other words, it's "possible." *Detailed explanations will be omitted in today's article.
● You can eat natto (fermented soybeans).
● You can drink coffee black.
● I can drive a car.
And so on...
[I have done ~ before]
Example sentence: I have eaten pufferfish before.
Meaning: I ate pufferfish. So I know , I remember .
In other words, it's about "experience." (Did + Know/Remember) *Detailed explanations will be omitted in today's article.
● I have climbed Mount Fuji.
● I have run a full marathon.
● I have met a celebrity.
And so on...
[There are times when...]
Example sentence: Trains are sometimes delayed .
Meaning: Trains always arrive and depart right on time. But sometimes they're late . You might encounter one of those times .
In other words, it's the "probability of occurrence." *Detailed explanations will be omitted in today's article.
● Any app can have bugs .
Even teachers can make mistakes .
● It can snow in Tokyo in March.
And so on...
② Let's talk about "things" using ' feelings (emotional !)'
Emotion 1: How nostalgic!
Example sentence: Every year, my family and I would go out to see the cherry blossoms .
"A long time ago, back then , every spring, my family and I would go for a walk to see the cherry blossoms . It's a memory that no longer exists ."
Let's infuse it with a feeling of nostalgia, that "touching" emotion.
● I used to listen to this band's songs while riding crowded trains during my student days.
● I used to run along this riverbank every morning and every evening .
● When I first started studying, I used to fill my notebooks with kanji characters .
Emotion 2: This is common sense, it's obvious!
Example sentence: Shopping should be something you enjoy without overspending .
"Shopping is fun , but you have to only buy what you can afford and what you have money for! Getting hooked on revolving credit can have serious consequences!"
They teach them, and they give them somewhat harsh advice, telling them that this is what everyone considers "normal."
● Before eating, you should say "Itadakimasu" (thank you for the meal), and after you finish eating , you should say "Gochisousama deshita" (thank you for the meal) (with your hands together).
Let's maintain beautiful table manners! Greeting others is a matter of pride in keeping yourself beautiful.
● Alcohol should be enjoyed in a fun way . Drinking to relieve stress is no fun.
↑Don't rely on alcohol. Alcohol is there to enjoy delicious food! Cheer up!!
● You should arrive 5 minutes before the agreed time for a meeting.
↑Being exactly on time is no good. You have to be considerate of the other person and go to the meeting place a little early. That's what it means to be an adult.
③ Strict rules taught through "actions"!
Example sentence: From now on, I will not use credit cards for shopping ! (Especially no revolving credit! "Absolutely not!" )
Meaning: You must absolutely stop using your card for shopping from now on . This is a warning for you!
It's about how to communicate rules, make announcements, and offer advice.
(②-Emotion 2 is a gentle way of conveying "common sense," while this is very direct, or rather, a direct warning .)
● No smoking here!
● No matter how busy you are, don't sleep at the office!
● (At work) Be sure to be punctual!
④ "Thing" or "Event" + "... !? "
The "...ka!" at the end of a sentence conveys a very strong feeling.
It expresses the speaker's inner thoughts and strong will.
Let's consider what happens when we attach them to "things" and "events."
I. "No way!" is a strong feeling! [Aggressive emotion]
Example sentence: I absolutely won't give up! (I'm going to pass the N1 exam!)
Meaning: I 'm absolutely not going to give up or fail (the JLPTN1). I'm going to pass!
I will absolutely NOT do [◯◯]! I will not let it happen!
It seems that this kind of heartfelt passion is transmitted as energy.
● I absolutely cannot fail (tomorrow's presentation)!
↑This is a fighting pose that conveys a strong determination to succeed no matter what!
● (He's the one who caused the fight,) so there's no way I'm apologizing!
↑It's not my fault... He's the one who should be apologizing!
● (The staff were rude and the food was awful...) I'm never coming to a place like this again!
↑It was a very bad restaurant, and I had a terrible experience. The anger and dislike of this kind of place are clearly expressed.
*ver.α "Monoka" is also [the emotion of believing]
Example sentence: There's no way he'll fail the N1 exam .
Meaning: I can't believe he failed (wasn't passed), it's absolutely impossible .
There is absolutely no possibility of [doing/doing].
I can really feel the speaker's conviction. Their choice of words conveys that conviction.
● Would (that workaholic 'him') be out of the office at this time ?
↑'He' is someone who sees work as his life. He'd definitely be in the office at this time.
● Can the yen really get any weaker ?
↑The Japanese yen won't get any cheaper than it is now. (Can you sense the feeling of "I don't want that to happen!"?)
● (My Taro) would never shoplift!
↑My child is a good kid. They would never shoplift! I trust my child. (There's also a sense of aggressive, subjective opinion that the store manager's story must be wrong! I don't want to believe my child shoplifted!)
II. "Oh, really...!" is an image that evokes a feeling! [Realistic feeling]
Example sentence: How much easier Japanese would be if I knew kanji!
Meaning: It conveys a vivid image that makes you feel like it's "easy, free, and fun."
● (I've never been there, but) I can only imagine how amazing the view from the top of Mount Fuji must be !
↑It must be a truly beautiful view. The sentiment, "I'd love to see it at least once," comes across very clearly.
● I'm exhausted every day, but imagine how much free time I'd have if I quit my job altogether...! (Perhaps the beauty of life lies in the days that simply pass by.)
↑If I were to quit my job, I'd have so much free time... I'm imagining myself like that. "I don't hate my job after all!" I think you can sense that feeling.
● If that accident hadn't happened, I'm sure the meals I'd be eating with him right now would taste so much better .
↑ "Why is reality so painful..." I can't stop regretting it, but the 'present that should have been' that I can never get back keeps coming to mind.
I would be happy if we could share the inner world that gives rise to very emotional images, things that feel real and vivid.
"How..." "How..."
It sounds natural to create a sentence by placing the content that is being emphasized in the <...> section in the middle, along with the word you want to emphasize!
I think this is the perfect way to speak when you want to get a real feel for what's going on inside someone's mind.
→ Example sentence: You wouldn't believe how relieved my father was when I got married!
Meaning: I bet my father was relieved when I got married... It feels like I can really feel the empathy that comes from imagining someone else's feelings .
● Imagine the incredible awe and emotion an astronaut must feel when gazing upon our blue Earth...
↑It must be an incredible view. Something that could change your perspective on life must be unfolding before your eyes. You must have the feeling of truly 'being' in the vast universe.
● I can only imagine the hardship he must have been going through at that time, working overtime constantly and having no days off.
Looking back on 'that time' with him makes me want to cry. Why didn't I understand him back then?
● How much he must have suffered on that day two years ago.
No matter how many times I recall his suffering and pain from 'that day,' it feels as if it's right in front of me. That accident two years ago is an unforgettable event for me as well...
These words can be interpreted in both a positive and negative way, reflecting the speaker's imagined scene or feelings.
*Bonus tip: It's also important etiquette to use "...and so" to make excuses.*
The word "thing" is used in certain types of dialogue (lines/actual conversations) to convey emotion, but it is also used as a polite way of speaking when explaining reasons or, for example, when making excuses.
Example sentence: "I'm so sorry for the delay! We suddenly received a complaint call from a customer..."
The sentence pattern "[Reason] Because..." is a polite way of explaining a situation and seeking the other person's understanding .
In business settings, or when you need to formally explain the situation to someone you 're having trouble with or experiencing inconvenience, try speaking in this way and practicing the desirable behavior.
(Even in situations where you are in a vulnerable position, there is a certain kind of coolness, or rather , a charm, that can be found in your good posture and behavior.)
● (At the entrance of the restaurant)
Customer: "What?! I came all this way and I can't get in?!"
Waiter: "I'm sorry, but we've booked the restaurant for a wedding reception tonight..."
● (In the office)
Client employee: "So, is it really impossible for you to give me Mr./Ms. A's contact information?"
Our employee: "Yes, we are fully aware of the responsibility issues surrounding this matter, but please understand that our company policy prohibits us from disclosing employee personal information under any circumstances ."
● (At the dinner table in my wife's family home)
Father-in-law: "Robert, how about another drink!"
Robert: "Thank you very much. I would love to have one, but I'm not very good at holding my liquor ..."
↑I can't drink any more (or don't want to drink any more), so I'm politely declining my father's offer of alcohol. I think this is an appropriate Japanese expression depending on the situation.
(※Stop when your face turns bright red; I think that's a good point.)
That concludes today's study session.
Thank you for reading our JLS blog.
I took two words that seem somewhat similar, "mono" (thing) and "koto" (event), and looked at how to use them with example sentences.
I would be delighted if you could use the Japanese you read today as a reference and start using it in your daily communication.
What I found noteworthy in this article is that the language spoken using "things" and "events" is practical .
In other words,
① First, you need to be able to distinguish between "things" and "events".
and
② The point is that it is a sentence pattern that is used as frequently as possible in everyday communication.
With an emphasis on enabling you to immediately use what you learn in everyday conversation, I've focused on introducing only the essential usages that you should definitely remember.
I believe you can find many other advanced uses and beautiful ways of speaking with the words "mono" and "koto."
When you encounter these things in your studies, daily life in Japan, or in work and academic situations, try to incorporate them into your Japanese vocabulary as variations.
I believe that the ingenuity that arises from listening carefully to the surrounding conversations can lead to the development of rich skills even in the challenging field of "foreign languages."
Let's listen, let's talk, and let's enjoy a back-and-forth exchange of words.
Words are sounds, and therefore they are rhythms.
Learn the rhythm of Japanese through your movements and breathing, create your own rhythm, and speak the sentences you've learned with a comfortable, resonant voice .
Being able to enjoy conversations in lively and engaging Japanese would undoubtedly be a wonderful result of your studies.
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