How to say "lumber" in Japanese

• 木材もくざいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe broadest of the three: wood, timber or lumber as a material, whatever its form or purpose. When you simply mean wood in general, this is the word to reach for.
  この古ふるい家いえは木材もくざいでできている。↗

  This old house is made of wood.
• 材木ざいもくJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounLumber or timber in the sense of wood for building: the natural word when the material is destined for construction rather than being discussed as wood in general.
  ひろしは材木ざいもくをひいて板いたにしています。↗

  Hiroshi is sawing the wood into boards.
• 用材ようざいCommon
  nounTimber viewed as material for a particular use; the most specialized of the three, at home in forestry and timber-trade contexts. In everyday talk about lumber, 木材 or 材木 is the usual choice.

Use 木材 for wood or lumber as a material in general, 材木 for lumber as wood for building, and 用材 for timber treated as material for a particular use, chiefly in forestry and timber-trade contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 木材もくざいlumber
• 材木ざいもくwood (for building)
• 材ざいwood
• 肋材ろくざいlumber (for the ribs of a ship)
• 用木ようぼくtimber
• のしのしと歩くのしのしとあるくto walk heavily and clumsily
• 用材ようざいlumber