Definitions

(noun) glass

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

Composed of the jade radical "王" and the phonetic element "皮", the character "玻" was devised to form part of the compound "玻璃", a term derived from the Sanskrit "sphatika" meaning rock crystal, which indicates an initial reference to natural crystalline substances valued for their transparency and resemblance to precious stones. Historically, "玻璃" described imported quartz or similar materials before the widespread production of synthetic glass, and as manufacturing techniques evolved, the term's application shifted exclusively to denote the transparent, brittle material produced from silica, thereby aligning the character's semantic field with man-made glass. Throughout this transition, the character "玻" retained its structural integrity, serving as a phonetic marker within a word that broadened in meaning while maintaining its connection to translucent, hard substances through its jade-associated radical.

Example Sentences Hide

璃杯很干净。

Bō li bēi hěn gān jìng.

The glass is very clean.

小心地上的碎璃。

Xiǎo xīn dì shang de suì bō li.

Be careful of the broken glass on the floor.

窗户的璃擦得很亮。

Chuāng hu de bō li cā de hěn liàng.

The window glass is wiped very brightly.

这个璃花瓶是手工制作的。

Zhè ge bō li huā píng shì shǒu gōng zhì zuò de.

This glass vase is handmade.

实验室需要耐热的璃器皿。

Shí yàn shì xū yào nài rè de bō li qì mǐn.

The laboratory needs heat-resistant glassware.

这些璃制品容易破碎。

Zhè xiē bō li zhì pǐn róng yì pò suì.

These glass products are easily broken.

他透过璃凝望着远处的风景。

Tā tòu guò bō li níng wàng zhe yuǎn chù de fēng jǐng.

He gazed at the distant scenery through the glass.

现代建筑广泛使用璃幕墙。

Xiàn dài jiàn zhù guǎng fàn shǐ yòng bō li mù qiáng.

Modern architecture widely uses glass curtain walls.