材料 — meaning in English: material

cáiliào · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for material

棒

bàng

难民

nànmín

材料

cáiliào

争议

zhēngyì

寡妇

guǎfù

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 材料 (cáiliào) in a variety of contexts related to construction, cooking, and crafting. For instance, in a construction meeting, someone might say, 'We need better 材料 for this project,' or during a cooking class, an instructor could ask, 'What 材料 do we need for this dish?'

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 物料 (wùliào), which also means 'material' but is more commonly used in industrial and technical contexts. Use 材料 when discussing everyday materials or ingredients, while 物料 would be preferred in a manufacturing or engineering scenario.

Culture

The character 材 (cái) means 'wood' or 'material,' while 料 (liào) signifies 'to measure' or 'material for use.' This combination reflects a historical focus on resource management, particularly in ancient China, where proper materials were crucial for everything from architecture to agriculture.

FAQ

Q.What does 材料 mean in English?

The word 材料 (cáiliào) translates to 'material' in English, referring to the substances used to create or build something.

Q.How do you use 材料 in a sentence?

You can use 材料 in a sentence like, '这道菜需要新鲜的材料' (Zhè dào cài xūyào xīnxiān de cáiliào), which means 'This dish requires fresh materials.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 材料?

A common mistake is confusing 材料 with 物料 (wùliào). Remember to use 材料 for general contexts and cooking, while 物料 is for technical discussions.

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