Translation guide
The English word "material" covers physical substances, information, and abstract qualities. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Referring to what something is made of, such as wood, metal, fabric, or raw ingredients.
General term for materials used to make something, especially in manufacturing, cooking, or construction.
この料理の材料は何ですか。
What are the ingredients for this dish?
家を建てる材料を買いに行きます。
I'm going to buy materials to build a house.
Raw or natural materials, often emphasizing quality or origin. Common in art, design, and food.
この服は天然素材でできています。
This clothing is made of natural materials.
Scientific term for matter or substance. Used in physics, chemistry, and formal contexts.
この物質は水に溶けやすい。
This substance dissolves easily in water.
Referring to textiles used for clothing, upholstery, etc.
Fabric or cloth, especially for making clothes. Also used for dough in baking.
この生地は肌触りがいい。
This fabric feels nice on the skin.
General word for cloth or fabric. Can be used for any textile.
布で袋を作りました。
I made a bag out of cloth.
Referring to data, documents, research, or subject matter.
Documents, reference materials, or data used for research or meetings.
会議の資料を準備してください。
Please prepare the materials for the meeting.
Teaching materials or educational resources.
Content or subject matter of a book, speech, etc.
Describing someone who has the qualities to succeed, e.g., "manager material".
Literally 'vessel for ~', meaning someone has the capacity or caliber for a role. Used with nouns like 社長 (company president).
彼は社長の器ではない。
He is not CEO material.
Suitable for ~. Often used with 人 (person) to mean someone suited for something.
彼女は教師向きだ。
She is teacher material.
A person who should become ~. More literal, less idiomatic.
彼はリーダーになるべき人だ。
He is leader material.
Used in phrases like "material evidence" or "material fact" meaning significant.
Adjective meaning 'important' or 'significant'. Used before nouns.
これは裁判で重要な証拠です。
This is material evidence in the trial.
Serious or grave, often for consequences or facts.
重大な事実を隠していた。
He concealed a material fact.
材料 (ざいりょう) is for materials used to make something specific, like cooking ingredients or building supplies. 素材 (そざい) emphasizes the raw, natural quality of the material, often used in art, design, or when talking about the inherent properties of a substance.
カレーの材料を買う。
Buy ingredients for curry.
この彫刻の素材は木です。
The material of this sculpture is wood.
The loanword マテリアル is sometimes used in technical or IT contexts (e.g., マテリアルデザイン), but it is not natural for everyday physical materials. Use 材料 or 素材 instead.
新しい英語の教材を買いました。
I bought new English teaching materials.
この本の内容は難しい。
The material in this book is difficult.