材 (cái) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 材 (cái) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 材 (cái) means "Material; timber". It is an HSK Level 3 character, with 7 strokes and the radical 木.

Q: How do you write 材 stroke by stroke?

材 has 7 strokes. The radical is 木. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 材 and 未?

材 (cái) and 未 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 材?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 木. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 材?

Common words containing 材 include: 材料 (cái liào) — Material; data; 身材 (shēn cái) — stature; figure; build; 木材 (mù cái) — timber.

How to Write 材

The character 材 (cái) is written with 7 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 木 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

材 is pronounced cái in Mandarin Chinese. It means Material; timber.

As an HSK Level 3 character, 材 is an intermediate-level character.

Common Words with 材

材料 cái liào

Material; data

身材 shēn cái

stature; figure; build

木材 mù cái

timber

Example Sentences

请准备好申请材料。

qǐng zhǔn bèi hǎo shēn qǐng cái liào

Please prepare the application materials.

他的身材很匀称。

tā de shēn cái hěn yún chèn

His figure is very well-proportioned.

这些木材用来做桌子。

zhè xiē mù cái yòng lái zuò zhuō zi

This wood is used to make tables.

Similar Characters

未 wèi

末 mò

本 běn

Practice Writing 材 (cái)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 材 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 材

What does 材 (cái) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 材 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 材 and 未?

What mistakes do learners make writing 材?

What common words use 材?

How to Write 材 (cái)