[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Intelligence # 料 liào material; to expect ## Components [[米 mǐ]] [[米 (mǐ)]] [[斗 dòu]] [[斗 (dǒu)]] ## Meaning Today, the character "料" primarily means: 1. **Material**: Refers to raw materials or ingredients used in production, such as building materials or food ingredients. 2. **Expect or Anticipate**: In some contexts, it can mean to anticipate or estimate, as in "预料" (yùliào), meaning "to expect" or "to predict." Overall, "料" is commonly used to refer to materials or the act of estimation. ## History The character "料" is an ideographic compound. It consists of the components "米" (rice) and "斗" (a measuring container), indicating the action of measuring rice with a container. Its original meaning was "to measure rice." ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ![[料 liào - Ora.svg]] ### Bronze Script ![[料 bronce 1.svg]] ### Seal Script ![[料 sello 1.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[料 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[料 reg.svg]]