Meaning and Usage
"原料" (げんりょう) refers to the raw materials or ingredients used to make products, food, or other items. It is commonly used in manufacturing, cooking, and industrial contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "原料" when discussing production costs, quality of goods, or food preparation. For example, factories talk about the quality and cost of raw materials, and chefs mention fresh ingredients as "原料".
Collocations and Patterns
- 原料を使う (げんりょうをつかう): to use raw materials
- 原料の価格 (げんりょうのかかく): price of raw materials
- 新鮮な原料 (しんせんなげんりょう): fresh raw materials
Register and Nuance
"原料" is a neutral, formal noun suitable for business, academic, and everyday contexts when discussing materials. It is not casual slang.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "原料" with "材料" (ざいりょう). While both mean materials, "原料" specifically means raw or unprocessed materials, whereas "材料" can mean any materials or ingredients, including processed ones. Use "原料" when emphasizing the raw state before processing.