代物
Meanings
Neutral term for a tangible item, product, or article, often used in commercial or descriptive contexts.
This shop carries a lot of unusual goods.
The newly developed product is lighter than conventional ones.
Often used to appraise something, especially with irony, sarcasm, or mild disdain. Can refer to objects, situations, or people.
What he brought was an outrageous thing.
What on earth is that fellow thinking?
Archaic euphemism for a prostitute, now obsolete.
In Edo-period documents, 代物 sometimes refers to a courtesan.
Archaic usage for price or cost; no longer used in modern Japanese.
In old documents, 代物 is sometimes used to mean payment.
Usage patterns
- 〈形容詞〉代物a thing/item that is (surprisingly, worryingly, etc.) ~
This is quite a troublesome thing to deal with.
- 〈事〉という代物a so-called ~; a thing referred to as ~ (often with skepticism)
He was selling something called a 'magic potion.'
- 〈事〉できる代物ではないnot something that can easily be ~ (used to stress difficulty or danger)
This isn't something a beginner can easily handle.