liu2料

Jyutpingliu2

Yalelíu

名詞Common

Definition

Material, ingredient, or component.

colloquialfoodpeople

How it's used

Beyond its literal meaning of physical ingredients or raw materials, this word is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone's potential or inherent quality. Calling someone 有料 means they are talented or knowledgeable, whereas 冇料 implies they are incompetent or lack substance. It is a very versatile term that shifts easily between concrete physical objects and abstract personal capabilities.

Measure word

zung3種jung

Examples

ni1呢go3個tong1湯lok6落zo2咗hou2好do1多leng3靚liu2料，hou2好zuk1足mei2味。

This soup has a lot of good ingredients in it, it's very flavorful.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知zing2整ni1呢go3個gwai6櫃jiu3要jung6用me1咩liu2料？

Do you know what materials are needed to make this cabinet?

Common phrases

jau5有liu2料

talented or knowledgeable

mou5冇liu2料

incompetent or lacking substance

leng3靚liu2料

high quality ingredients or materials

Common mistake

Be careful not to confuse this with the verb 估 (to guess) or the particle 囉, as the pronunciation is distinct. Also, avoid using it as a direct translation for the English word 'material' when referring to fabric, as 布料 is the specific term for textiles.