raw material

• Matière ou substance naturelle non traitée ou peu transformée, utilisée dans la production ou la fabrication de biens ; au sens figuré, éléments de base servant à créer quelque chose.

Basic, unprocessed natural substances or materials that are used in the production or manufacture of goods, or figuratively, the fundamental elements used to create something.

1. Basic substance for productionB1formal

   Unprocessed natural substances used in the manufacture of goods.

   Matière première

   • The factory imports raw materials like iron ore and coal.
   • Cotton is a key raw material for the textile industry.
   • The price of raw materials affects the cost of finished products.

2. Source for ideas or creativityB2informal

   Basic information or elements used to develop something new, such as a story, theory, or artwork.

   matière première

   • Her personal experiences were the raw material for her novel.
   • The data collected serves as raw material for the research paper.
   • Everyday life provides raw material for a comedian's jokes.