Chinese Character: 胶
1. Character Basics
Radical: 月/肉月旁 (moon/meat radical)
Stroke Count: 10
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: jiāo (first tone)
3. Meaning
glue, gum, adhesive, rubber
4. Common Words
- 胶水 (jiāo shuǐ) - glue
- 胶带 (jiāo dài) - adhesive tape
- 橡胶 (xiàng jiāo) - rubber
- 胶囊 (jiāo náng) - capsule
- 胶带纸 (jiāo dài zhǐ) - scotch tape
- 胶片 (jiāo piàn) - film (photographic)
5. Grammar & Usage
"胶" is primarily used as a noun referring to sticky substances like glue or rubber.
It is often combined with other characters to form compound words related to adhesives or rubber products.
Common structures include "胶+材料/物品" (胶水, 胶带, 橡胶).
In some contexts, it can also be used adjectivally to describe things that are sticky, as in "胶着状态" (deadlocked state).
6. Cultural Background
The use of natural adhesives dates back to ancient Chinese civilization, where materials like animal glue were used in various applications.
Traditional Chinese arts and crafts, such as paper-cutting and painting, have long relied on different types of glues.
In modern China, the rubber and adhesive industries have developed significantly, with many innovations in materials science.
The character "胶" reflects the practical and creative aspects of Chinese culture, from traditional craftsmanship to modern technology.
7. Example Sentence
Chinese: 请用胶水把这两张纸粘在一起。
Pinyin: Qǐng yòng jiāo shuǐ bǎ zhè liǎng zhāng zhǐ zhān zài yīqǐ.
Translation: Please glue these two pieces of paper together.
8. Memory Tips
The character "胶" consists of two parts: the radical "月" (moon/meat) on the left and "交" (jiāo) on the right.
The "月" radical here is related to its original meaning of animal parts used to make glue.
To remember this character, think of something sticky ("交" phonetically suggesting "jiāo") that was originally made from animal-derived materials (represented by the "月" radical).