How to say "materials" in Japanese

• 材料ざいりょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe default word for physical materials used to make something, and also for cooking ingredients. Use it when talking about what a product, dish, or structure is made from.
  小麦粉こむぎこはケーキの主おもな材料ざいりょうだ。↗

  Flour is the main ingredient in cakes.
• 資料しりょうJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers informational materials rather than physical ones: documents, data, and reference material for study or work. If 'materials' means papers or information you consult, 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.
• 物資ぶっしJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to goods, commodities, and resources as supplies, often in contexts like shipping, shortages, or relief aid. Use it for materials thought of as goods to be transported or distributed.
  お金かねは物資ぶっしを売買ばいばいしたり、価値かちを測はかったり、富とみを蓄たくわえたりするのに使つかわれる。↗

  Money is used for buying or selling goods, measuring value and storing wealth.
• 用材ようざいCommon
  nounA narrower term for materials used in construction or manufacturing, especially wood and building materials. For everyday senses of 'materials' it is seldom the word you want; 材料 is usually better.

Choose 材料 for physical raw materials or ingredients, 資料 for informational materials such as documents and data, 物資 for goods and supplies, and 用材 mainly for timber and building materials.

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

• 材料ざいりょうmaterials
• 資料しりょうmaterial
• 物資ぶっしgoods
• 用材ようざいmaterials
• 素片そへんfragments
• スタッフstuff