「物」是中國思想、生活和文化傳統中的一個基本概念。它萌檗於上古時代的生活土壤中，從一個彌漫著神秘氣息的自然物概念逐漸拓展到人類日常生活和社會實踐領域，繼而上升為一個哲學概念。這一過程展示了先民在接觸、觀察、認識和利用自然物的生活實踐中，系統化的意向、思維和認識的生成脈絡。「物」在人類生活實踐中的作用是根本性的，主要可以概括為「觀物」、「用物」、「體物」三種。

Things is an important concept in ancient China. The role it plays in people’s everyday life and cultural tradition is as important as in the field of philosophy. Things was originally a mystique noun but which gradually became an important philosophical concept with rich connotations. These processes to show the history of the human understanding of nature and transform the nature and use of nature, and it also demonstrates the natural world continue to enter the history of human life. In the tradition of the ancient Chinese thought, the role of Things was summarized into three aspects: contemplation of Things, usefulness of Things, appreciate Things, and each represented an important area of the practice of human life, such as daily life, philosophy and aesthetic.