The word 材料 is formed by combining two individual characters, each contributing a core idea to create a composite meaning. The first character, 材, is itself composed of the "tree" radical (木) alongside the component 才, conveying the idea of "usable substance" or "raw talent". The second character, 料, combines the "rice" radical (米) with 斗 (a measuring vessel), suggesting the notion of "measured ingredients" or "to estimate". When joined, these two characters, both inherently related to substance, quality, and usable matter, merge their meanings to form the comprehensive concept of "material", "ingredient", or "data", essentially referring to the stuff from which something is made or derived.