Definitions

nián sticky; glutinous; (Tw) to adhere; to stick on; to glue

Etymology phono-semantic

millet

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 黏, meaning sticky or adhesive, is traditionally structured with the component 黍 indicating millet, a grain historically utilized for its glutinous properties in creating pastes, combined with 占 serving as a phonetic element. This composition etymologically ties the concept of adhesion directly to the tangible quality of millet-based substances used in early practices. Over time, the semantic scope of 黏 expanded from describing these specific agricultural adhesives to encompassing a general state of stickiness across various materials and contexts, thereby maintaining its foundational association while adapting to broader linguistic applications.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这种胶水很

Zhè zhǒng jiāo shuǐ hěn nián.

This glue is very sticky.

米饭在碗上。

Mǐ fàn nián zài wǎn shàng.

The rice is stuck to the bowl.

土可以捏造型。

Nián tǔ kě yǐ niē zào xíng.

Clay can be molded into shapes.

他的手上沾了的糖。

Tā de shǒu shàng zhān le nián nián de táng.

His hands are stained with sticky candy.

这种胶性很强。

Zhè zhǒng jiāo nián xìng hěn qiáng.

This adhesive has strong viscosity.

贴海报时要用胶水。

Nián tiē hǎi bào shí yào yòng jiāo shuǐ.

When pasting posters, you need to use glue.

雨后泥土变得糊糊的。

Yǔ hòu ní tǔ biàn de nián hú hú de.

After rain, the soil becomes sticky.

合剂能够牢固地连接材料。

Nián hé jì néng gòu láo gù de lián jiē cái liào.

Adhesive can firmly connect materials.