How to Say ‘A thing (an abstract thing/event)’ in Japanese
こと
koto
[koh-toh]
💬 Usage Tip: [こと] turns actions/ideas into “a thing”: [話したいこと] = “a thing I want to talk about.” Different from [もの], which is more “physical thing.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using [こと] helps you talk about feelings/topics indirectly, which can sound more polite in delicate relationship talks.
Phrase Breakdown
こと
koto
[koh-toh]
thing; matter; (nominalizer)
Turns verbs/clauses into a “thing/matter.” In relationship talk: 「話したいこと」 = “something I want to talk about.”
話したいことがある。
There’s something I want to talk about.
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