Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
之材
zhī cái
Description
"之材"不是一个常用的独立词，它是文言里"……的人才"的意思，常出现在"栋梁之材"这样的说法里。
"之材" is not a commonly used standalone word; in classical Chinese, it means '...talent' and often appears in phrases like "栋梁之材".
我们说一个人是"栋梁之材"，就是说他很有才能，将来会很有用。
When we say someone is "栋梁之材", we mean they are very talented and will be useful in the future.
Meanings
之材zhī cái
a talent or capable person (of a certain kind)
这个孩子是可造之材。
This child has great potential.
Related words
Notes
- Etymology
之 is a classical possessive particle (like 的), 材 means talent or material.
- Nuance
not used alone in modern speech; appears in set phrases like 栋梁之材.
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