Japanese Words & Their Uses II by Akira Miura

Author:Akira Miura
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0-8048 1386-8
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

I answered (lit., sent a reply) immediately after receiving the letter.

(See also henji.)

こと, 事 thing, matter, fact

Koto, like mono, is often translated into English as “thing.” Koto, however, refers only to an intangible thing (i.e., an event, a fact, or an act) and thus contrasts with mono, which basically refers to a tangible thing.

(1) Hen na koto ga atta.

A strange thing (i.e., event or act) happened.

(2) Hen na mono ga atta.

There was a strange thing (i.e., object).

It is for the same reason that, in example (3), only koto is correct, while in (4), only mono can be used.

(3) Omoshiroi koto (not *mono) o shitta.

I learned something interesting (e.g., interesting news).

(4) Depaato de takai mono (not *koto) o katta.

I bought something expensive at the department store.

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