素材(そざい)

そざい
noun
material, raw material, ingredient
1. material, raw material
The basic substance from which something is made.
この素材(そざい)は軽(かる)い。
This material is light.
天然(てんねん)素材(そざい)を使(つか)う。
To use natural materials.
2. subject matter, source material
Material used as the basis for creative work or study.
小説(しょうせつ)の素材(そざい)を集(あつ)める。
To gather material for a novel.

素材(そざい) refers to the basic substance or raw material from which something is made, or the source material for creative work.

SENSE 1 - PHYSICAL MATERIAL:

  • 天然(てんねん)素材(そざい) (natural material)
  • 合成(ごうせい)素材(そざい) (synthetic material)
  • 素材(そざい)がいい (good quality material)
  • 素材(そざい)の味(あじ)を生(い)かす (bring out the natural flavor of ingredients)

SENSE 2 - SOURCE MATERIAL:

  • 映画(えいが)の素材(そざい) (material for a film)
  • 作品(さくひん)の素材(そざい) (subject matter for a work)
  • 素材(そざい)を集(あつ)める (gather material)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 材料(ざいりょう): more concrete, refers to specific materials or ingredients used to make something
  • 原料(げんりょう): raw materials that undergo chemical transformation (e.g., oil for plastics)
  • 素材(そざい): emphasizes the inherent quality or potential of the material
general
Added 2026.2.2 16:47 · Revised 2026.4.3 14:03
09000/09492_sozai