The Meaning of kenbutsu [見物] In Japanese

見物
みもの
Romaji: kenbutsu N5

What does 見物 mean?

Translation and Meaning

sightseeing, viewing; spectator, onlooker

Definition

見物 means the act of viewing something for pleasure or interest, and also a person who watches an event or scene; used for going to see places or happenings and for onlookers.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Sightseeing or visiting places of interest for pleasure
  • A spectator or onlooker at a public event
  • The act of observing something with interest, often in a casual context

Etymology

From the kanji 見 (to see) and 物 (thing); the noun derives from the idea of the thing to be seen, with the reading kenbutsu using the on-reading of the characters.

Origin

Origin: appears in classical Japanese and became common in Edo-period usage to describe people who go to watch events or places, as well as the act of viewing.

Composition

  • 見: to see, look, observe
  • 物: thing, object; together they convey the idea of a thing that is to be seen, yielding the sense of viewing or sightseeing

Usage

Used as a noun for viewing or visiting places of interest. In practice it appears with verbs like 見物に行く (kenbutsu ni iku) to go sightseeing or 見物する (kenbutsu suru) to observe. It also forms compounds such as 見物客 (kenbutsukyaku) for spectators and 見物席 (kenbutsuseki) for spectator seating.

💡 Tips
Mnemonic: See + mono = sightseeing. Visualize going to see the objects around you to remember that 見物 is about viewing things for pleasure or as a spectator.

Variations

  • 観光 (かんこう, kankou) — sightseeing, tourism
  • 見学 (けんがく, kengaku) — inspection, field study
  • 見物客 (けんぶつきゃく, kenbutsukyaku) — spectators
  • 観覧 (かんらん, kanran) — viewing, attendance (at events)

Example Phrases

  • 大道芸を見物してから、家に帰る途中で友達と話した。
    Daidougei o kenbutsu shite kara, ie ni kaeru tochuu de tomodachi to hanashita.
    I talked with a friend on the way home after watching a street performance.
    Lista:
    • 大道芸 (daidougei) – street performance
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 見物 (kenbutsu) – sightseeing
    • してから (shite kara) – after doing
    • 家に (ie ni) – to home
    • 帰る途中で (kaeru tochuu de) – on the way home
    • 友達と話した (tomodachi to hanashita) – talked with a friend
    「見物」は観察者として物事を眺める行為を表す名詞。ここでは「見物してから」で動作の順序を示す。
見物