noun, noun, used as a suffix
Refers to wood as a building material. Often used in compounds like 木材 (もくざい) or 材木 (ざいもく).
この家は良い材で建てられている。
This house is built with good timber.
材を切って棚を作った。
I cut some lumber and made a shelf.
noun
General term for raw materials or ingredients. Common in compounds like 材料 (ざいりょう) or 食材 (しょくざい).
料理に使う材を買いに行く。
I'm going to buy ingredients for cooking.
この製品は高品質な材から作られている。
This product is made from high-quality materials.
noun
talent; ability; capable person
Refers to a person's natural aptitude or a person with talent. Often used in compounds like 人材 (じんざい) or 逸材 (いつざい).
彼は将来有望な材だ。
He is a promising talent for the future.
会社は新しい人材を求めている。
The company is looking for new talent.
More specific than 材, explicitly meaning 'wood material' or 'lumber'.
Broader term for 'materials' or 'ingredients', while 材 alone is often used in compounds.
Specifically 'human resources' or 'talented people', whereas 材 alone can mean 'talent' in a more abstract sense.
The kanji 材 originally depicts a tree (木) and talent/ability (才), suggesting 'useful wood' or 'material with potential'. The reading ざい is the on'yomi.