Listen to this articlewù 物
Wu (Thing / Matter)
“物”一般指天地之间有形有象的一切存在，大体有三种不同含义：其一，指有形的具体存在物，包括各种自然物、人造物，也包括各种生物和人。其二，指人伦关系中发生的事务、事情，如侍奉父母、为政治国等，这个意义上的“物”相当于“事”。其三，指具体存在物或人伦事务的总和，通常称“万物”。
Wu (物) usually denotes an existence in the universe that has a form or an image. In general, the word has three different meanings. First, it refers to any concrete existence, encompassing all natural and man-made objects, all organisms and human beings. Second, it covers interpersonal matters and activities such as taking care of one’s parents, entering politics, or managing state affairs. In this sense, wu means “matter.” Third, the word sums up all existing physical and social matters, generally called “everything.”
引例 Citations：
◎有天地，然后万物生焉。盈天地之间者唯万物。（《周易·序卦》）
（先有天地，然后万物化生。充满天地之间的只是万物。）
First, there is the universe. Then everything comes into being and fills up the universe. (The Book of Changes)
◎意之所用，必有其物，物即事也。如意用于事亲，即事亲为一物。（《传习录》卷中）
（良知感应运用，必然用于“物”上，“物”就是各种事，如良知感应运用于侍奉双亲，那么侍奉双亲就是一个“物”。）
Conscience must relate to “things,” which refer to various matters. If one’s conscience is applied to parents, then taking care of one’s parents is the “matter.” (Wang Yangming: Records of Great Learning)
