Chinese word

粘

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhān

Meaning

  • verbstick

Example

这张纸总是粘在桌子上。zhè zhāng zhǐ zǒng shì zhān zài zhuō zi shàng

This paper always sticks to the table.

Illustration for 粘 (stick)

More examples

煎饼粘在锅底，翻不动。jiān bǐng zhān zài guō dǐ fān bú dòng

The pancake sticks to the bottom of the pan, so it cannot be flipped.

Core concept

Tackiness creates a bond between an object and a surface, keeping them together until they are pulled apart.

Common phrases

  • 粘在衣服上zhān zài yī fú shàng

    stick to clothes

  • 粘在手上zhān zài shǒu shàng

    stick to hands

  • 粘在锅底zhān zài guō dǐ

    stick to the bottom of the pan

Similar words

贴tiē: Attach paper, cloth, or similar material to a surface with glue or tape.
粘住zhān zhù: Become stuck through tackiness and unable to move.
粘贴zhān tiē: Attach something to a surface or digital location by sticking it there.

Definition in Chinese

由于表面或物质的粘性使两个物体或一个物体与某处附着在一起，难以分开。yóu yú biǎo miàn huò wù zhì dì zhān xìng shǐ liǎng gè wù tǐ huò yí gè wù tǐ yǔ mǒu chù fù zhuó zài yì qǐ nán yǐ fēn kāi

Word origin

In 粘 (zhān, "stick"), 米 (mǐ, "rice") supplies the meaning association and 占 (zhān, "phonetic") supplies the sound, evoking the grip of cooked, starchy food.

Usage tips

  • The same word covers both an object becoming stuck and an agent attaching it, so the sentence pattern helps show whether the attachment is intentional.

Other meanings

  • adhereverb

Opposites

  • 剥落bō luòpeel offverb
  • 松开sōng kāiloosenverb

Related words

Word lists with this word