物質（ぶっしつ、buっshitsu）
- substance

The Japanese word 物質 (ぶっしつ, bussitsu) primarily translates to "substance," "matter," or "material" in English. It refers to anything that has mass and occupies space. It can encompass various forms, from solid objects to liquids, gases, and even more abstract concepts like the 物質 that constitutes the universe. It's a fundamental term in science, philosophy, and everyday language.

⚫︎その 物質 は水に溶けやすいです。 Translation: That material is easily dissolved in water. ⚫︎科学者は新しい 物質 を発見した。 Translation: Scientists discovered a new substance. ⚫︎地球上のすべてのものは 物質 からできている。 Translation: Everything on Earth is made of matter.

物質 is used in various contexts, including scientific discussions, describing the composition of things, and discussing physical properties. It's a common word, usable in both formal and informal settings. When describing the "material" of something, often 材料 (ざいりょう, zairyou - material, ingredient) or 素材 (そざい, sozai - material, raw material) might be more appropriate.

The word is typically written with the kanji 物質, with the furigana (reading guide) above it: ぶっしつ. The okurigana is standard and doesn't have variations. The hiragana reading is consistent: ぶっしつ.

⚫︎材料 (ざいりょう, zairyou) - material, ingredient ⚫︎素材 (そざい, sozai) - material, raw material ⚫︎物体 (ぶったい, buttai) - object, body, thing ⚫︎元素 (げんそ, genso) - element

⚫︎精神 (せいしん, seishin) - spirit, mind ⚫︎エネルギー (enerugii) - energy (often contrasted with 物質 in physics)

この 物質 は非常に高温で融解します。 ・Translation: This substance melts at a very high temperature. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a physical property of the material.

生命は 物質 からできている。 ・Translation: Life is made of matter. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses the fundamental composition of living organisms.

The word 物質 is a compound word. 物 (もの, mono) means "thing," "object," or "matter," and 質 (しつ, shitsu) means "quality," "nature," or "substance." Therefore, 物質 essentially combines the idea of "things" with their inherent "qualities" or "substance." This gives it the meaning of the physical stuff that makes up the world.