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.
What are the ingredients for this dish?
Raw or natural materials, often emphasizing quality or origin. Common in art, design, and food.
Scientific term for matter or substance. Used in physics, chemistry, and formal contexts.
Referring to textiles used for clothing, upholstery, etc.
Fabric or cloth, especially for making clothes. Also used for dough in baking.
Referring to data, documents, research, or subject matter.
Documents, reference materials, or data used for research or meetings.
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).
Used in phrases like "material evidence" or "material fact" meaning significant.
Adjective meaning 'important' or 'significant'. Used before nouns.
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.
Buy ingredients for curry.
I'm going to buy materials to build a house.
This clothing is made of natural materials.
この物質は水に溶けやすい。
This substance dissolves easily in water.
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.
I made a bag out of cloth.
Please prepare the materials for the meeting.
Teaching materials or educational resources.
I bought new English teaching materials.
Content or subject matter of a book, speech, etc.
The material in this book is difficult.
He is not CEO material.
Suitable for ~. Often used with 人 (person) to mean someone suited for something.
She is teacher material.
A person who should become ~. More literal, less idiomatic.
He is leader material.
This is material evidence in the trial.
Serious or grave, often for consequences or facts.
He concealed a material fact.
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.