料

A phono-semantic compound, consists of:

米 (rice) — semantic component, originally related to grain, rice, provisions;

斗 (두) — phonetic component, a measuring container, giving pronunciation.

Originally the character referred to measuring grain with a 斗 (measuring scoop).

Semantic development:

- to measure → to calculate → to estimate;

- measured grain → provisions → materials;

- material → ingredient → raw material;

- material cost → charge → fee.

Thus meanings expanded from physical measuring

to abstract calculation and financial cost.

In Korean and Japanese, 料 often carries financial meanings like “fee, charge,” not just “material.”

재료 (材料) — ingredient; material

원료 (原料) — raw material

요금 (料金) — fee; fare

수수료 (手數料) — commission

자료 (資料) — data, information

연료 (燃料) — fuel

식료품 (食料品) — food supplies

조료 (料) — seasoning, condiment

料 shows an important semantic shift in Chinese:

to measure grain → to calculate → material → fee.

It connects agriculture, calculation, and economics

in a single historical development.

Related characters:

斗 — measuring scoop

斜 — slant

科 — subject; division

料 — measure; material