About
The character 材 is a phono-semantic compound incorporating the radical 木, which denotes wood, and the component 才, which primarily serves as a phonetic indicator. Its earliest meanings centered on timber or wood prepared for construction, emphasizing the notion of raw material selected for its utility and quality. From this concrete foundation, the term gradually extended to refer to any substance or matter used as a base for making objects, thus generalizing the concept of material. Subsequently, the sense of prepared and suitable wood evolved metaphorically to describe innate human capabilities or qualifications, leading to its use in contexts such as 人才, where it signifies person of talent. This semantic progression from tangible lumber to abstract aptitude demonstrates how the character's core idea of usable substance adapted to encompass both physical and intellectual resources.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这种材料很结实。
这些木材质量很好。
新鲜的食材非常重要。
这本教材对学生很有帮助。
这些建材是从外地运来的。
建筑需要大量的钢材。
父母都希望子女早日成材。
这部小说的题材很新颖。