Word: 不成材 (bùchéngcái) 不成材 dictionary entry bùchéngcái worthless; good-for-nothing Full dictionary entry for 不成材 Example sentences using 不成材 2 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 杉木尾，不成材 shāmù wěi, bùchéngcái the tip of a fir tree: can't become timber (can't become talent) 树不修不成材，儿不育不成人 shù bù xiū bùchéngcái, ér búyù bùchéngrén a tree not pruned won't become timber; a child not raised won't become a person