Usage note
物质是指组成东西的材料，比如水、木头、石头都是不同的物质。
Wùzhì shì zhǐ zǔchéng dōngxi de cáiliào, bǐrú shuǐ, mùtou, shítou dōu shì bùtóng de wùzhì.
Substance refers to the material that makes up things, such as water, wood, and stone being different substances.
Context note
在科学课上，老师教我们认识各种物质，比如冰是水的固体物质。
Zài kēxué kè shàng, lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen rènshi gè zhǒng wùzhì, bǐrú bīng shì shuǐ de gùtǐ wùzhì.
In science class, the teacher teaches us to recognize various substances, such as ice being the solid substance of water.
5 examples
水是一种透明的物质。
shuǐ shì yì zhǒng tòu míng de wù zhì。
Water is a transparent substance.
木头这种物质可以用来做桌子。
mù tou zhè zhǒng wù zhì kě yǐ yòng lái zuò zhuō zi。
The substance wood can be used to make tables.
糖和盐是两种不同的物质。
táng hé yán shì liǎng zhǒng bù tóng de wù zhì。
Sugar and salt are two different substances.
空气是一种看不见的物质。
kōng qì shì yì zhǒng kàn bú jiàn de wù zhì。
Air is an invisible substance.
铁这种物质很坚硬。
tiě zhè zhǒng wù zhì hěn jiān yìng。
The substance iron is very hard.
5 mini stories
小华在厨房里看到盐。妈妈说盐是一种调味物质。
xiǎo huá zài chú fáng lǐ kàn dào yán。 mā ma shuō yán shì yì zhǒng tiáo wèi wù zhì。
Xiaohua sees salt in the kitchen. Mom says salt is a seasoning substance.
科学实验里，老师把冰加热变成水。冰和水是同一种物质。
kē xué shí yàn lǐ， lǎo shī bǎ bīng jiā rè biàn chéng shuǐ。 bīng hé shuǐ shì tóng yì zhǒng wù zhì。
In the science experiment, the teacher heats ice to turn it into water. Ice and water are the same substance.
小丽用橡皮泥做手工。橡皮泥是一种软软的物质。
xiǎo lì yòng xiàng pí ní zuò shǒu gōng。 xiàng pí ní shì yì zhǒng ruǎn ruǎn de wù zhì。
Xiaoli uses playdough to make crafts. Playdough is a soft substance.
爸爸说石头是天然的物质。小强在公园里捡了一块石头。
bà ba shuō shí tou shì tiān rán de wù zhì。 xiǎo qiáng zài gōng yuán lǐ jiǎn le yí kuài shí tou。
Dad says stone is a natural substance. Xiaoqiang picks up a stone in the park.
老师展示塑料和金属。塑料和金属是不同的物质。
lǎo shī zhǎn shì sù liào hé jīn shǔ。 sù liào hé jīn shǔ shì bù tóng de wù zhì。
The teacher shows plastic and metal. Plastic and metal are different substances.
Mini dialogue
物质奖励
A
如果我考得好，妈妈会给我奖励吗？
Rúguǒ wǒ kǎo de hǎo, māma huì gěi wǒ jiǎnglì ma?
If I do well on the test, will Mom give me a reward?
B
可能会给你一些物质奖励。
Kěnéng huì gěi nǐ yīxiē wùzhì jiǎnglì.
Maybe she will give you some material rewards.
精神与物质
A
物质和精神哪个更重要？
Wùzhì hé jīngshén nǎge gèng zhòngyào?
Which is more important, material or spiritual?
B
两个都很重要。
Liǎng gè dōu hěn zhòngyào.
Both are important.
Related words and contrasts
similar
东西
dōngxi
thing
物质 is more formal, often used in science; 东西 is everyday 'thing'.
related
材料
cáiliào
material
材料 refers to the stuff used to make things.