荷物（にもつ、nimotsu）
- luggage/package

The Japanese word 荷物 (読み方: にもつ - *nimotsu*) primarily means "luggage," "baggage," or "package." It refers to any items that are being carried, transported, or shipped. This can include anything from suitcases and backpacks to boxes and parcels. 荷物 is a general term and can apply to various situations involving the movement of personal belongings or goods. The meaning is fairly broad and encompasses anything someone is carrying or sending.

⚫︎旅行の荷物 Translation: Travel luggage/baggage ⚫︎荷物が重い Translation: The luggage is heavy. ⚫︎荷物を送る Translation: To send luggage/packages.

⚫︎This word is used in everyday conversation, in formal situations, and in written communication. ⚫︎You would use 荷物 when talking about your belongings or someone else's, especially in the context of traveling, moving, shipping, or receiving items. ⚫︎It is also commonly used in phrases related to carrying, packing, and unpacking items. ⚫︎It is a very common word, so it's a good one to learn early on.

⚫︎The word 荷物 is typically written in kanji 荷物. ⚫︎The reading is にもつ (hiragana). ⚫︎There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is standard.

⚫︎かばん (*kaban*) - bag, suitcase ⚫︎バッグ (*baggu*) - bag (loanword) ⚫︎手荷物 (*tenimotsu*) - hand luggage/carry-on ⚫︎小包 (*kozutsumi*) - package, parcel ⚫︎貨物 (*kamotsu*) - freight, cargo (more formal and usually used for commercial transport)

There aren't direct antonyms for 荷物, as it is a noun referring to things. However, you could consider the concept of "nothing" or "empty" as an opposite in a figurative sense.

空港で荷物を受け取りました。 ・Translation: I received my luggage at the airport. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of picking up one's baggage upon arrival at the airport.

この荷物、ちょっと手伝っていただけませんか？ ・Translation: Could you help me with this luggage, please? ・Explanation: This is a polite request for assistance in carrying or handling a person's belongings.

⚫︎The word 荷物 is composed of two kanji: 荷 (*ni*) and 物 (*motsu*). ⚫︎荷 originally means "a load" or "a burden" and is related to carrying things. ⚫︎物 means "thing" or "object". ⚫︎Thus, 荷物 literally means "things/objects that are a load" or "things to be carried."