noun
Neutral term for a tangible item, product, or article, often used in commercial or descriptive contexts.
この店は変わった代物をたくさん扱っている。
This shop carries a lot of unusual goods.
新しく開発された代物は、従来のものより軽
The newly developed product is lighter than conventional ones.
noun
Often used to appraise something, especially with irony, sarcasm, or mild disdain. Can refer to objects, situations, or people.
彼が持ってきたのは、とんでもない代物だった。
What he brought was an outrageous thing.
あの代物は一体何を考えているんだ。
What on earth is that fellow thinking?
noun
Archaic euphemism for a prostitute, now obsolete.
江戸時代の文献では、代物が遊女を指すことがある。
In Edo-period documents, 代物 sometimes refers to a courtesan.
noun
Archaic usage for price or cost; no longer used in modern Japanese.
古文書では、代物が代金の意味で使われる例がある。
In old documents, 代物 is sometimes used to mean payment.
Compound of 代 (しろ, 'substitute, price') + 物 (もの, 'thing'). Originally referred to something of value or a substitute, later broadening to mean an article or thing, often with an evaluative nuance.