素材
sozai[so̞za̠i]
The Japanese word for material is 素材 (sozai).
素材 is used to describe the substance of which something is composed or the raw materials used for production and creation, such as fabrics or ingredients.
Meaning: substance of which something composed of or can be made of (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 素材 refers to the inherent properties or the nature of a substance, the word 材料 (zairyō) is used specifically when referring to materials used as ingredients to make a specific product or a dish. If you mean material in the sense of information or documents, use 資料 (shiryō).
How do you pronounce it?
sozai
Did you know?
- When describing a person's natural talent or raw potential in sports or arts, Japanese people use 素材 to imply they are a 'diamond in the rough'.
- The first character in 素材, 素, is the same character used in the word '素人' (shirouto), which means an amateur or a novice. This implies that an amateur is someone who is still at the 'elemental' or 'raw' stage of a craft.
- In the context of digital design or web development, the word 素材 is frequently used to refer to 'assets', such as stock photos, icons, or sound effects used to build a project.
Examples in context
- この素材はCO₂を吸収します。This material absorbs CO2.This sentence shows how 素材 can be used to describe a substance that absorbs CO2.Tatoeba #9785202 by small_snow, translation #2769799 by Hybrid
- この素材は決してすり減ったりしない。This material never wears out.This sentence describes a property of a 素材 that does not wear out.Tatoeba #220727 by mookeee, translation #58049 by CM
- 音を吸収する素材のことを吸音材といいます。Sound absorbing material is called acoustic material.This sentence explains that material used for absorbing sound is called an acoustic material using the word 素材.Tatoeba #74730 by fcbond, translation #328989 by fcbond
- この物質は耐久性があります。This material is durable
- プロジェクトに使える良い素材が必要だな。I need some good material for my project
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are looking at a piece of clothing in a store.
- 結衣 Yuiこの服は素材がいいですね。Kono fuku wa sozai ga ii desu ne.The material of these clothes is high quality, isn't it?
- 健太 Kentaはい、とても柔らかい素材です。Hai, totemo yawarakai sozai desu.Yes, it is a very soft material.
- 結衣 Yui綿かリネンの素材でしょうか。Men ka rinen no sozai deshou ka.I wonder if the material is cotton or linen.
- 健太 Kentaタグを確認してみましょう。Tagu o kakunin shitemimashou.Let's check the tag.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 素材, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
