材

cái

才 + 木

Definitions

cái (noun) material; timber

cái (noun) ability; talent; aptitude

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 才 represents the sound.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 才

About

材 is a phono-semantic compound. The wood radical 木 on the left provides its semantic category, linking the character to forestry and timber. The component 才 on the right primarily indicates the pronunciation while also contributing a related meaning of "ability". Its most concrete definition refers to timber or raw materials for construction. This meaning later expanded to encompass human potential, describing a person's innate talent or aptitude to be developed for a specific purpose.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这种材料很结实。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào hěn jiēshi.

This kind of material is very sturdy.

这些木材质量很好。

Zhèxiē mùcái zhìliàng hěn hǎo.

This lumber is of very good quality.

新鲜的食材非常重要。

Xīnxiān de shícái fēicháng zhòngyào.

Fresh ingredients are very important.

这本教材对学生很有帮助。

Zhè běn jiàocái duì xuéshēng hěn yǒu bāngzhù.

This textbook is very helpful for students.

这些建材是从外地运来的。

Zhèxiē jiàncái shì cóng wàidì yùn lái de.

These building materials were transported from other regions.

建筑需要大量的钢材。

Jiànzhù xūyào dàliàng de gāngcái.

Construction requires a large amount of steel.

父母都希望子女早日成材。

Fùmǔ dōu xīwàng zǐnǚ zǎorì chéngcái.

All parents hope their children will mature into useful individuals early.

这部小说的题材很新颖。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō de tícái hěn xīnyǐng.

The subject matter of this novel is very novel and original.

Related Characters

Component: 才

Component: 木

材