素材 sùcái source material (in literature and art)
How to remember 素材: 素 plain + 材 timber = source material (in literature and art).
Characters
How it is used
- Raw source material for creative work - 写作素材 (xiězuò sùcái) writing material; 视频素材 video footage/assets.
- The unworked stuff (footage, notes, life experiences) an author/creator shapes into a finished piece.
- Distinguish from 材料 (cáiliào, general materials): 素材 is specifically creative raw material.