Learn a Chinese Character - 料

1. Character Basics

Radical: 米 (mǐ, rice/grain radical)

Stroke Count: 10

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: liào (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Material; substance; ingredient; material;预料 (expect); think; suppose; consider; predict; guess; estimate; stuff; matter; supplies; materials; stock; provisions

4. Common Words

• 材料 (cáiliào) - material; stuff
• 料理 (liàolǐ) - cuisine; cook; manage; take care of
• 预料 (yùliào) - to expect; to anticipate
• 意料 (yìliào) - expectation; anticipation
• 资料 (zīliào) - data; information; material
• 饲料 (sìliào) - feed; fodder
• 调料 (tiáoliào) - seasoning; condiment
• 颜料 (yánliào) - pigment; paint

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 料 has multiple uses in Chinese:

1. As a noun:

- Refers to materials, substances, or ingredients

Example: 这种材料很耐用。(Zhè zhǒng cáiliào hěn nàiyòng.) - This material is very durable.

2. As a verb:

- Means "to expect, anticipate, or predict"

Example: 我没有料到他会来。(Wǒ méiyǒu liàodào tā huì lái.) - I didn't expect him to come.

3. In compound words:

- 料 is often used in compound words to indicate various types of materials or the act of considering/expecting

Example: 他很会料理家务。(Tā hěn huì liàolǐ jiāwù.) - He is very good at managing household chores.

4. In idiomatic expressions:

- 料事如神 (liàoshìrúshén) - to predict things with miraculous accuracy

6. Cultural Background

The character 料 has rich cultural connotations in Chinese society:

1. Traditional Usage: Originally related to processing grains (as indicated by the 米 radical), 料 evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings related to materials and prediction.

2. Chinese Cuisine: The term 料理 (liàolǐ) is widely used in Chinese cuisine to refer to the way ingredients are prepared and cooked, highlighting the importance of material selection in Chinese culinary traditions.

3. Cultural Expressions: Idioms containing 料 reflect Chinese cultural values such as foresight and preparation, like 未雨绸缪 (wèiyǔchóumóu) which means "to prepare for a rainy day" (closely related to the concept of anticipating or expecting).

4. Modern Context: In contemporary China, 料 is commonly used in various fields including manufacturing, construction, information technology, and daily life.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

To remember the character 料:

1. Character Structure: 料 is composed of 米 (mǐ, rice/grain) on the left and 斗 (dǒu, a measure for grain) on the right. Together, they suggest "measuring grain" or "grain materials."

2. Association: You can associate 料 with the idea of "measuring and preparing materials" since it combines the grain radical with a measure word.

3. Stroke Order: Start with the 米 radical on the left, then complete the 斗 part on the right. Pay attention to the correct order of strokes in the 斗 component.

4. Common Words: Practice using 料 in common words like 材料, 料理, and 预料 to reinforce your memory of both the character and its meanings.