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置物 (おきもの, okimono) Japanese meaning: ornament | Kotomora

置おき物もの

お

き

も

の

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

ornament; decorative object

A physical object placed for decoration, such as a figurine, vase, or display piece.

棚たなに小ちいさな置おき物ものを飾かざっている。

I have a small ornament displayed on the shelf.

この置おき物ものは祖そ母ぼからもらったものです。

This decorative object is something I received from my grandmother.

2

figurehead; leader without real power

Metaphorical use for a person who holds a title but has no real authority or influence.

彼かれは会かい長ちょうだが、実じっ質しつ的てきには置おき物ものにすぎない。
He is the chairman, but in reality he is nothing more than a figurehead.

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉に置おき物ものを飾かざるto display an ornament in a place
床とこの間まに古ふるい置おき物ものを飾かざった。
I displayed an old ornament in the alcove.
置おき物ものになるto become a mere figurehead (with no real power)
社しゃ長ちょうは名なばかりで、実じっ際さいは置おき物ものになっている。
The president is president in name only; in reality he's just a figurehead.

Kanji

置placement, put, set
物thing, object, matter

Related words

飾かざりN3sense 1
置物 refers to a specific object placed for decoration, while 飾り is a broader term covering any kind of decoration or adornment.
傀かい儡らい sense 2
傀儡 stresses being controlled like a puppet by others, while 置物 in this sense just means a leader who holds the title but no real power.
オブジェ
置物 is a general word for ornaments or figurines placed for decoration, while オブジェ tends to imply a modern, artistic, or Western-influenced piece.

Don't confuse with

人にん形ぎょうN4sense 1
人形 means a doll or human-shaped figurine, whereas 置物 covers any decorative object, human-shaped or not.
置おき場ば
置き場 means a place to put things, while 置き物 means the decorative object that is placed somewhere; the two are easily confused because both start with 置き.

Counted with

対ついN2
For pairs of matching objects — vases, ornaments (一対).
個こN5
The all-purpose counter for small discrete objects, used when no more specific counter applies.

Written forms

置おき物ものUsage87%
Standard kanji spelling.
置おき物ものUsage11%
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; less common but still encountered.
置おきものUsage2%
search-only kanji form

Etymology

Compound of 置き (oki, continuative form of 置く 'to place') + 物 (mono, 'thing'). Literally 'a thing placed'.