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March 24, 2026
胶(膠)jiāo(jiao1)
The character 胶 (jiāo) refers to substances used for sticking things together, such as glue, gum, or rubber. It is commonly used in both everyday contexts, like crafting or repairing items, and industrial contexts for manufacturing and construction. The nuance of this character also implies stickiness or adhesive qualities.
Strokes10Radical⺼Frequency#5229DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, adhesive materials like glue (胶) play a significant role in traditional crafts, such as paper cutting and calligraphy, highlighting the importance of precision and artistry in these practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'Jelly' (sounds like 'jiāo') that you use to stick two things together! The character 胶 has the radical 背 (bèi) which suggests a 'back' or support, reflecting how glue supports materials by holding them together.
Meanings of 胶
jiāo(jiao1)
1to glue
2glue
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 胶
胶Simplified
膠Traditional
10Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5229Frequency Rank
Podcast: 胶
Podcast: 胶
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AI Study Notes for 胶
Quick Contrast
胶 (jiāo) vs 粘 (nián) — use 胶 for commercial or industrial adhesives, while 粘 emphasizes the property of stickiness in a broader context.
Usage Notes
A common mistake is using 胶 in overly formal contexts where simpler words like 粘 (zhān) for 'stick' might be more appropriate. In addition, remember that 胶 can refer to various types of adhesives, so using it with specific descriptors (like 热胶 for hot glue) can enhance clarity.
HSK Study Tips
Although 胶 is not in the standard HSK levels, it connects well with other common verbs and nouns related to actions and materials. Focus on understanding how it combines with other words like 胶水 (glue water) or 胶带 (adhesive tape) to expand vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 胶 with similar-sounding words, like 交 (jiāo), which means 'to hand over' or 'to交' (jiāo) for 'to intersect.' Always remember that 胶 specifically relates to adhesive substances.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 胶
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How Well Do You Know 胶?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 胶 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 胶 (jiāo) refers to substances used for sticking things together, such as glue, gum, or rubber. It is commonly used in both everyday contexts, like crafting or repairing items, and industrial contexts for manufacturing and construction. The nuance of this character also implies stickiness or adhesive qualities.
When to use 胶
A common mistake is using 胶 in overly formal contexts where simpler words like 粘 (zhān) for 'stick' might be more appropriate. In addition, remember that 胶 can refer to various types of adhesives, so using it with specific descriptors (like 热胶 for hot glue) can enhance clarity.
胶 or something close to it
胶 (jiāo) vs 粘 (nián) — use 胶 for commercial or industrial adhesives, while 粘 emphasizes the property of stickiness in a broader context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 胶 with similar-sounding words, like 交 (jiāo), which means 'to hand over' or 'to交' (jiāo) for 'to intersect.' Always remember that 胶 specifically relates to adhesive substances.
Write 胶
胶
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Practice writing 胶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 胶
胶 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你要服一粒维生素B____囊。
You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B.
Common Confusions with 胶
胶vs焦
jiāo
Same pronunciation, but different meanings.
胶vs脚
jiǎo
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “to glue”?
or
Example Sentences for 胶 (10)
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1
你要服一粒维生素B胶囊。
nǐ yào fú yī lì wéi shēng sùB B jiāo。
You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B.
