CAI-2

('cai' in the second tone)

There are about 14 Chinese characters that are spoken 'cai'. The sound-determining element in about half of them is 采 = cai(3) = to pick. Another sound-determining element that occurs in several characters is 才 = cai(2) = ability.

才 = ability

The two-character word with the same meaning is more commonly used.

才能 = cai(2)neng(2) = ability

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刚才 = gang(1)cai(2) = right now, just now

我刚才在工作. = Wo(3) gang(1)cai(2) zai(4) gong(1)zuo(4). = I am working right now.

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材 = wood (could also be firewood), timber

The single-character version is rather theoretical; in spoken Chinese, the two-character version is always preferred:

木材 = mu(4)cai(2) = timber (used in construction)

器材 = qi(4)cai(2) = equipment and material (used on shop signs)

身材 = shen(1)cai(2) = figure

A possible praise for a good-looking person:

你的身材很妤. = Ni(3)de(-) shen(1)cai(2) hen(3) hao(3). = Your figure is very good.

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财 = money and property

财经 = cai(2)jing(1) = finance and economics (typical section header in newspapers)

经 = jing(1) = to manage, to pass through, menstruation (and many other meanings)

经理 = jing(1)li(3) = manager