About
The character 胶 (traditional: 膠) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side semantic radical 月 (a variant of 肉, ròu) indicates the meaning relates to flesh, pointing to the character's origin in animal materials. The right-side component 交 (jiāo) provides the phonetic element. Originally, the character referred specifically to animal glue or gelatin made by boiling hides, bones, and connective tissues. As materials developed, its meaning broadened to include all adhesives, gums, and sticky substances, eventually extending to modern rubber and synthetic polymers. Thus, it shifted from denoting an organic binding agent from animal sources to a general term for any adhesive or elastic rubber-like material.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈买了新胶水。
请用胶带封箱子。
橡胶轮胎很耐用。
他吃了感冒胶囊。
旧相机需要胶卷。
胶合板用于做家具。
雨天穿胶鞋防滑。
这种物质呈胶状。