Definition
料子 (liào zi) is a versatile noun with several meanings. Its most common use is for 'fabric' or 'clothing material'. It can also refer to 'timber' or 'wood' in construction contexts. Colloquially, 料子 means 'makings' or 'potential' for a role or activity, often used in the negative phrase 不是那块料子 ('not cut out for something'). In slang, it can also refer to heroin, though this is less common in everyday speech.
n.
clothing materialfabrictimberwood(colloquial) makingspotential (for a role or activity)
Examples
- 料子。Zhè kuài liào zi hěn shìhé zuò xiàtiān de yīfu.This fabric is very suitable for making summer clothes.
- 料子。Zhèxiē liào zi kěyǐ yòng lái zuò jiājù.These timbers can be used to make furniture.
- 料子。Tā gēnběn bú shì dāng yǎnyuán de nà kuài liào zi.He is simply not cut out to be an actor.
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