How to say "material" in Japanese

• 資料しりょうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'material' as information: documents, data, or reference materials used for research, reports, or presentations. If your 'material' is something you read or consult rather than a physical substance, this is the word.
  新あたらしい資料しりょうをお送おくりください。↗

  Please send us more information.
• 物質ぶっしつJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThis is 'material' in the physical, scientific sense: substance or matter that things are made of. 'Material' meaning supplies or ingredients calls for a different word.
  その物質ぶっしつは酸さんで処理しょりしなければならない。↗

  The substance must be treated with acid.
• ねたCommon
  nounMaterial for a story, article, or similar work: the information or source material a writer works from. It can also be an item of news or information.
• 生地きじJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounIn sewing and clothing talk, this is the fabric or cloth a garment is made from; it can also refer to the texture of that fabric.
  生地きじを預あずければドレスを仕立したててくれますか。↗

  Will you make me up a dress if I give you the material?
• 布ぬのJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCloth or fabric as a physical material — a piece of cloth. When 'material' in English simply means cloth or textile, this is the word to use.
  この布ぬのは裂さけやすい。↗

  This cloth tears easily.

Use 資料 for informational materials such as documents and data, 物質 for physical substance in the scientific sense, 「ねた」 for source material behind stories or articles, and 生地 or 布 for cloth and fabric.

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

• 資料しりょうmaterial
• 物質ぶっしつmaterial
• ねたmaterial (for a story, article, etc.)
• 生地きじcloth
• 布ぬのcloth
• マテリアルmaterial
• 材質ざいしつmaterial
• 有形ゆうけいmaterial
• 物的ぶってきmaterial
• 物質的ぶっしつてきmaterial
• 布地ぬのじfabric
• 具体的ぐたいてきconcrete
• 具材ぐざいmaterial
• 部材ぶざいcomponent
• マチエールmaterial
• 切れ地きれじfabric
• さしたる(any) particular
• 具象的ぐしょうてきconcrete
• 形而下けいじかphysical
• 素材そざいingredient
• 資材しざい(raw) material
• 材料ざいりょうmaterial (for a novel, experiment, etc.)
• 料りょうmaterial
• テックスcloth
• 代しろmaterial
• マターmatter
• 資しmaterial
• 材ざい(raw) material
• たねmaterial (e.g. for an article)
• 地じtexture
• 元もと(raw) material