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March 24, 2026
材cái(cai2)
The character 材 (cái) primarily means 'material' or 'timber,' referring to the physical substances used for construction or crafting. It also conveys the idea of 'ability' or 'aptitude,' often in contexts discussing a person's talents or capabilities. This dual meaning highlights the significance of both physical and abstract resources in various contexts.
Strokes7Radical木Frequency#13175DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, materials are often linked to craftsmanship and skill. The importance placed on one's abilities, especially in traditional crafts, reflects societal values of hard work and talent, making 材 a relevant term in discussions about personal and professional development.
Memory Tip
Imagine a lumberjack (材) cutting down a tree (木) to gather materials (材) for building a house. The tree's trunk represents the timber, while the lumberjack symbolizes the aptitude needed to use it effectively. The sound 'cái' can be remembered as 'cutting' (a homophone in English) to gather resources.
Meanings of 材
cái(cai2)
1material
2timber
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 材
材Simplified
7Strokes
木Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#13175Frequency Rank
Podcast: 材
Podcast: 材
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AI Study Notes for 材
Quick Contrast
材 (cái) vs 料 (liào): use 材 when referring to raw materials or resources, while 料 is more about processed materials or ingredients.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a lumberjack (材) cutting down a tree (木) to gather materials (材) for building a house. The tree's trunk represents the timber, while the lumberjack symbolizes the aptitude needed to use it effectively. The sound 'cái' can be remembered as 'cutting' (a homophone in English) to gather resources.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 材 with 材料 (cáiliào), which specifically means 'materials' or 'ingredients.' Remember that 材 is more general and can refer to both physical materials and personal abilities. This character is used in both formal and informal settings, so context is key.
HSK Study Tips
Although 材 is not included in the HSK levels, it connects to HSK-related vocabulary such as 能力 (nénglì, 'ability') and 材料 (cáiliào, 'material'). Focus on recognizing how 材 can describe both tangible items and abstract qualities, which enhances comprehension of related terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, materials are often linked to craftsmanship and skill. The importance placed on one's abilities, especially in traditional crafts, reflects societal values of hard work and talent, making 材 a relevant term in discussions about personal and professional development.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 材 when they mean to refer specifically to materials, leading to phrases like 材能 (cáinéng), which is incorrect. The correct term for 'material ability' would usually be 材料和能力 (cáiliào hé nénglì).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 材
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Grammar Patterns of 材
材 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
tā shì gè shēn cái xiū cháng、 、 biǎo qíng zhuāng、 zhòng 、 pí fū yǒu hēi de shuài。
He was a slim, solemn, darkly handsome young man.
Cultural Notes for 材
💡Did you know?
In ancient China, the quality of wood (材) was crucial for building temples and palaces. Only the best timber was selected, as it was believed to influence the stability and longevity of the structure.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, materials are often linked to craftsmanship and skill. The importance placed on one's abilities, especially in traditional crafts, reflects societal values of hard work and talent, making 材 a relevant term in discussions about personal and professional development.
Word Family of 材
Words Containing This Character20
材料cáiliàomaterial
身材shēncáistature
棺材guāncaicoffin
材cáimaterial
题材tícáisubject matter題材
教材jiàocáiteaching material
器材qìcáiequipment
木材mùcáiwood
建材building materials
原材料yuáncáiliàoraw materials
素材sùcáisource material (in literature and art)
钢材steel (as raw material)鋼材
药材yàocáimedicinal ingredient藥材
蠢材idiot
材质texture of timber材質
取材to collect material
高材生student of great ability
成材to make sth of oneself
人材talent
型材extruded profile
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 材料 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 材
Common phrases with 材 include '材料' (cáiliào), meaning 'material', and '人才' (réncái), meaning 'talented person'. These phrases emphasize the importance of both physical materials and human capabilities.
Yes, 材 is commonly used in modern Chinese, especially in contexts related to materials and abilities. It's frequently found in discussions about construction, education, and personal skills.
材 (cái) means material or timber in Chinese. It can also refer to someone's ability or aptitude, indicating a capable individual. In historical contexts, it may refer to a coffin.
You can use 材 (cái) in sentences like '这块材很坚硬' (This piece of material is very hard). It can also be used in a metaphorical sense, such as '他是个有材的人' (He is a capable person).
材 is a more general term that can refer to both materials and abilities, while 材料 specifically means 'materials' or 'ingredients' used for a particular purpose.
Yes, 材 can refer to a person's abilities or talents, often in contexts discussing their skills or potential.
