粘

• Pinyin: zhān
• Hanzi breakdown: 粘 = 米 (rice) + 占 (to occupy) — sticky like rice paste

Meaning

To stick; to paste; to adhere. To attach one thing to another using adhesive properties.

Pronounced zhān when meaning to stick/paste (verb), and nián when meaning sticky (adjective). Common uses: 粘贴 (to paste), 粘住 (stuck), 粘合剂 (adhesive). Different from 贴 which emphasizes affixing flat objects.

Examples

1. 请把这张海报粘在墙上的公告栏里。 Please paste this poster onto the bulletin board on the wall.
2. 这种胶水粘性很强，能把木头和金属牢牢粘在一起。 This glue is very strong—it can firmly bond wood and metal together.
3. 孩子不小心把糖果粘在头发上，很难清理。 The child accidentally stuck a piece of candy in their hair, and it’s hard to clean out.

Usage Guide

Context: crafts, daily life, adhesion

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 用胶水把碎片粘回原位，看起来几乎和新的一样。(Use glue to stick the pieces back in place — it looks almost like new.)
• 信封没粘好，寄出去可能会散开。(The envelope isn't sealed properly and might come apart when mailed.)

Don't Say

• 粘的纸 for sticky paper — as an adjective meaning sticky, pronounce it nián: 黏的 or 粘性的

Origin & History

米 (rice) + 占 (to occupy) — rice gruel sticks and adheres

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal