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stuff

HSK 3 N2
cái
ザイ
Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 才 represents the sound.
Components
tree+ genius =
stuff
Meaning component
tree
Phonetic component
cái genius
a moment ago
View phonetic series →
Notes
Historical Evolution
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal
Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal
Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical
Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical
Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical
Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Clerical
Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Regular
Modern
Chinese
[cái]
material; timber; ability; aptitude; a capable individual; coffin (old)
Japanese
ざい 同音

noun

  1. wood; lumber; timber
  2. (raw) material; stuff
  3. talent; ability; capable person
Example Sentences
Japanese Names
もとき
Motoki unclassified name