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黏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
黏
nián
to stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue
HSK 7, zg, 17 strokes, radical 黍, rank #12006, Very Hard
黏
nián
to adhere
HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, radical 黍, rank #12006, Very Hard
黏
nián
to stick
HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, radical 黍, rank #12006, Very Hard
nián(nian2)nian T2
1to stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue
2to adhere
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
黏nián(nian2)
The character 黏 (nián) primarily means 'to stick to' or 'to adhere.' It is commonly used to describe substances that are glutinous or sticky, such as glue or certain foods like sticky rice. This term conveys a sense of physical attachment or a metaphorical bond, often emphasizing a strong connection.
Strokes17Radical黍Frequency#12006DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese cuisine, sticky rice (糯米) is a staple and is often used in traditional dishes, highlighting the cultural significance of textures in food. The term 黏 also reflects the importance of bonds in relationships, as 'sticking together' is a valued concept in Chinese culture.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'sticky note' (the sound 'nián' resembles the word 'near') that clings to your computer. The character's radical 黒 (black) suggests a dense, viscous quality, while the phonetic component 年 (year) can remind you that something sticky often lingers over time, just like memories from each year.
Meanings of 黏
nián(nian2)
1to stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue
2to adhere
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 黏 means.
About 黏
黏Simplified
17Strokes
黍Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 黏
Podcast: 黏
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AI study notes for 黏
Quick Contrast
黏 (nián) vs 粘 (zhān) — use 黏 for a sense of physical stickiness, while 粘 often refers to the act of sticking or adhering.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 黏 with other similar-sounding words, so pay attention to its application in contexts involving physical properties or emotional attachments. It is typically used in informal settings when discussing food or materials, and collocates well with words like '纸' (paper) and '米' (rice). Be cautious with tone, as the incorrect tone can change the meaning dramatically.
HSK Study Tips
While 黏 is not currently listed in HSK, it can be associated with level 3 vocabulary due to its practical use in everyday conversation. Students should focus on recognizing its use in various contexts, especially in culinary or crafting discussions, to enhance their vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 黏 with 粘 (zhān) due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '这道菜很粘' (This dish is very sticky) is correct, but using 黏 instead of 粘 in this context can sound odd. Be sure to use 黏 when referring to properties that imply stickiness or adherence.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 黏
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Tone practice
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How well do you know 黏?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 黏 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.
黏 = 黍 + 占. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 黏
IDS Structure⿰黍占
黏Full character
=
黍shu3
left
占zhan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 黏?
How to say to stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue in Chinese
“to stick to; glutinous, sticky; glue” in Chinese is黏nián
The character 黏 (nián) primarily means 'to stick to' or 'to adhere.' It is commonly used to describe substances that are glutinous or sticky, such as glue or certain foods like sticky rice. This term conveys a sense of physical attachment or a metaphorical bond, often emphasizing a strong connection.
When to use 黏
Learners often confuse 黏 with other similar-sounding words, so pay attention to its application in contexts involving physical properties or emotional attachments. It is typically used in informal settings when discussing food or materials, and collocates well with words like '纸' (paper) and '米' (rice). Be cautious with tone, as the incorrect tone can change the meaning dramatically.
黏 or something close to it
黏 (nián) vs 粘 (zhān) — use 黏 for a sense of physical stickiness, while 粘 often refers to the act of sticking or adhering.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 黏 with 粘 (zhān) due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '这道菜很粘' (This dish is very sticky) is correct, but using 黏 instead of 粘 in this context can sound odd. Be sure to use 黏 when referring to properties that imply stickiness or adherence.
Write 黏
黏
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Practice writing 黏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 黏
黏 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
池塘表面有一层____腻腻的污泥。
There was an unappealing film of slime on top of the pond.
Example sentences for 黏 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
池塘表面有一层黏腻腻的污泥。
chítáng biǎomiàn yǒu yī céng nián nì nì de wū ní。
There was an unappealing film of slime on top of the pond.
2
她那被汗水浸透的衣服黏在身上。
tā nà bèi hànshuǐ jìn tòu de yīfu nián zài shēnshang。
