thing

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 物 has 8 strokes and denotes a thing or an object.
• Basic usage: 物 is read もの, and 荷物 is read にもつ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An object and a load to carry
  • 重い物 means a heavy object.
  • 重い荷物 means heavy baggage.
  • In 船から次々と荷物が運び出された, the word refers to cargo unloaded from a ship one piece after another.
• Different readings
  • 物 is read もの, while 物 in 荷物 is read もつ.