素材(そざい)

そざい
noun
material, raw material, ingredient
creation
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.
このシャツは肌(はだ)に優(やさ)しい素材(そざい)でできている。
This shirt is made of a material that's gentle on the skin.
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.
この写真(しゃしん)はフリー素材(そざい)なので、自由(じゆう)に使(つか)える。
This photo is free stock material, so you can use it freely.
旅(たび)で出会(であ)った人々(ひとびと)を素材(そざい)にして、短編(たんぺん)小説(しょうせつ)を書(か)いた。
I wrote a short story using the people I met on my travels as material.

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.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (Sense 1):

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (Sense 2):

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

Related Words

Compare: 原料(げんりょう) (raw material (transformed))
Compare: 材料(ざいりょう) (material, ingredient)
Compare: 生地(きじ) (fabric, cloth)
Compare: 部材(ぶざい) (structural member)
general
Added 2026.2.2 16:47 · Revised 2026.10.13 22:26
09000/09492_sozai