====== tiē: 贴 - To Stick, To Paste, To Subsidize, Close To ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** tie, 贴, paste, stick, glue, subsidy, close to,贴图, 倒贴, Chinese verb, learn Chinese, what does tie mean, how to use tie, Chinese culture, Spring Festival couplets, Chinese internet slang
  * **Summary:** Discover the versatile Chinese word **贴 (tiē)**, a term that goes far beyond its basic meaning of "to stick" or "to paste." This page explores how **贴 (tiē)** is used to describe physical actions like putting up a poster, metaphorical concepts like being emotionally "close to" someone (贴心), and even financial terms like receiving a "subsidy" (补贴). Learn its crucial role in cultural traditions like posting Spring Festival couplets (贴春联) and its modern usage in internet slang for "posting" online, making it an essential word for any Mandarin learner.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tiē
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 (primary meaning: "to stick")
  * **Concise Definition:** To cause something to adhere to a surface; to be situated very close to something; to provide a subsidy.
  * **In a Nutshell:** The core idea of **贴 (tiē)** is **adhesion and closeness**. Physically, it's what you do with a sticker, a stamp, or a poster. This concept of "sticking" extends metaphorically. You can "stick close" to a person for support, your clothes can "stick" to your body (be close-fitting), and your actions can "stick to someone's heart" (be thoughtful). Financially, it can even mean to "stick" money onto something to help cover the cost, which we call a subsidy.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * The character 贴 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning one part gives a hint to the meaning and the other to the sound.
  * **贝 (bèi):** The "shell" radical. In ancient China, cowry shells were used as currency, so this radical is almost always associated with money, value, or trade. This provides the semantic component.
  * **占 (zhān/zhàn):** This character means "to occupy" or "to take up." Here, it primarily serves as the phonetic component, giving the character its "ie" sound.
  * The combination beautifully illustrates the meaning. You are using something of value (贝) to occupy (占) a surface or a position. This applies perfectly to pasting a valuable poster, applying a stamp (which costs money), or providing a financial subsidy.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * The act of **贴 (tiē)** is deeply embedded in some of China's most important cultural traditions, particularly during Chinese New Year (Spring Festival).
  * **贴春联 (tiē chūnlián) - Pasting Spring Festival Couplets:** This is a cornerstone of New Year preparations. Families **贴 (tiē)** red banners with poetic couplets expressing hopes for the new year on either side of their front door. This is not merely decoration; it's a ritual to welcome good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
  * **贴福字 (tiē fú zì) - Pasting the "Fortune" Character:** Along with couplets, families **贴 (tiē)** the character 福 (fú), meaning "fortune" or "blessing," on their doors and walls. Famously, it is often pasted upside down. The word for "upside down" is 倒 (dào), which is a homophone for 到 (dào), meaning "to arrive." Therefore, an upside-down 福 signifies "fortune has arrived" (福到了 - fú dào le), a clever and hopeful play on words.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** The ritual of `贴春联` can be compared to hanging a Christmas wreath in the West. Both signify the start of a major holiday season. However, the Chinese practice is more specific, involving the written language and layered meanings through puns and symbolism. The physical act of "sticking" these wishes to the home is a tangible way of inviting prosperity for the year ahead.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Literal Use (Sticking/Pasting):** This is the most common and direct meaning.
    *   **贴邮票 (tiē yóupiào):** To stick a stamp.
    *   **贴海报 (tiē hǎibào):** To put up a poster.
    *   **贴创可贴 (tiē chuāngkětiē):** To apply a Band-Aid.
  * **Metaphorical Use (Closeness):**
    *   **贴身 (tiēshēn):** Literally "sticking to the body." It can describe close-fitting clothes or something kept very close, like a personal bodyguard (贴身保镖 - tiēshēn bǎobiāo).
    *   **贴心 (tiēxīn):** Literally "sticking to the heart." It's a beautiful adjective for someone who is exceptionally thoughtful, considerate, and caring.
  * **Financial Use:**
    *   **补贴 (bǔtiē):** A subsidy or allowance. This is a very common term for money provided by the government or a company to help with costs (e.g., transportation subsidy, housing subsidy).
    *   **倒贴 (dàotiē):** This has a strong negative connotation. It means to pay out of your own pocket for something you shouldn't have to, often in a work or relationship context where you're being taken advantage of. For example, "Not only did he not pay me, I had to `倒贴` for gas money."
  * **Internet and Social Media:**
    *   **发帖 (fātiē) / 贴帖子 (tiē tiězi):** To "post" a message on an online forum or message board (like Reddit). The post itself is a 帖子 (tiězi).
    *   **贴图 (tiētú):** To post a picture, sticker, or emoji in a chat or forum.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他正在墙上**贴**一张电影海报。
    * Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài qiáng shàng **tiē** yī zhāng diànyǐng hǎibào.
    * English: He is pasting a movie poster on the wall.
    * Analysis: This is the most direct, literal usage of **贴**. It involves an adhesive action onto a surface.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 寄信之前，别忘了**贴**邮票。
    * Pinyin: Jì xìn zhīqián, bié wàngle **tiē** yóupiào.
    * English: Before you mail the letter, don't forget to stick on a stamp.
    * Analysis: Another common, literal example related to daily life.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这个小女孩总是紧紧地**贴**着她妈妈。
    * Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo nǚhái zǒngshì jǐn jǐn de **tiē** zhe tā māmā.
    * English: This little girl always sticks closely to her mom.
    * Analysis: Here, **贴** is used to show physical proximity and a sense of dependency or attachment. No glue is involved, but the concept of "adhering" is the same.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 你真是太**贴**心了，还记得我喜欢喝热可可。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ zhēnshi tài **tiē**xīn le, hái jìdé wǒ xǐhuān hē rè kěkě.
    * English: You are so thoughtful, you even remembered I like to drink hot cocoa.
    * Analysis: **贴心 (tiēxīn)** is a compound adjective. The action "sticks to the heart," meaning it's deeply appreciated and considerate.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我们公司每个月有五百块的交通**补贴**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī měi gè yuè yǒu wǔbǎi kuài de jiāotōng **bǔtiē**.
    * English: Our company has a 500 RMB transportation subsidy every month.
    * Analysis: This shows the financial meaning. **补贴 (bǔtiē)** is a noun where **贴** means to supplement or "stick on" extra money to help with costs.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 过春节的时候，家家户户都要**贴**春联。
    * Pinyin: Guò chūnjié de shíhòu, jiājiāhùhù dōu yào **tiē** chūnlián.
    * English: During Spring Festival, every household pastes Spring Festival couplets.
    * Analysis: A key cultural example, highlighting the importance of this specific action in a traditional context.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 我昨天在论坛上**发**了一个**帖**子，问大家怎么学中文。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ zuótiān zài lùntán shàng **fā** le yī gè **tiě**zi, wèn dàjiā zěnme xué Zhōngwén.
    * English: I posted a thread on the forum yesterday asking everyone how to learn Chinese.
    * Analysis: This demonstrates modern internet usage. Note that the verb is often `发 (fā)` meaning "to issue," while the noun for the post is `帖子 (tiězi)`. You can also say `贴帖子 (tiē tiězi)`.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 这件衬衫很**贴**身，穿着很舒服。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiàn chènshān hěn **tiē**shēn, chuānzhe hěn shūfú.
    * English: This shirt is very close-fitting and comfortable to wear.
    * Analysis: **贴身 (tiēshēn)** uses **贴** to describe how clothing fits the body.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他在这段关系里一直在**倒贴**，又出钱又出力。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài zhè duàn guānxì lǐ yīzhí zài **dàotiē**, yòu chū qián yòu chū lì.
    * English: He has been giving everything in this relationship, providing both money and effort (without getting anything back).
    * Analysis: A powerful example of the negative term **倒贴 (dàotiē)**, implying an unfair, one-sided contribution.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 孩子发烧了，快给他额头上**贴**一个退热**贴**。
    * Pinyin: Háizi fāshāo le, kuài gěi tā étóu shàng **tiē** yī gè tuìrè**tiē**.
    * English: The child has a fever, quick, put a fever-reducing patch on his forehead.
    * Analysis: A practical, modern medical usage. The product itself, a patch, is called a `退热贴 (tuìrètiē)`.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **贴 (tiē) vs. 放 (fàng) vs. 挂 (guà)**: This is a classic point of confusion for learners. They all relate to placing objects, but the method is different.
    *   **贴 (tiē):** To stick something //flat// onto a surface using an adhesive (glue, tape, etc.).
        *   Correct: 我把照片**贴**在墙上。(Wǒ bǎ zhàopiàn **tiē** zài qiáng shàng.) - I stuck the photo on the wall.
    *   **放 (fàng):** To put or place an object //on top of// a horizontal surface.
        *   Correct: 我把书**放**在桌子上。(Wǒ bǎ shū **fàng** zài zhuōzi shàng.) - I put the book on the table.
        *   Incorrect: 我把书~贴~在桌子上。 (This would mean you glued the book to the table!)
    *   **挂 (guà):** To hang something from a point (a hook, a nail).
        *   Correct: 我把画**挂**在墙上。(Wǒ bǎ huà **guà** zài qiáng shàng.) - I hung the painting on the wall.
        *   Incorrect: 我把画~贴~在墙上。 (This is only correct if it's an unframed poster. If it's a framed painting on a nail, you must use `挂`.)
  * **False Friend: "Post"**: While **贴 (tiē)** or **发帖 (fātiē)** means "to post" on forums, it is less common for social media feeds. For platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or WeChat Moments, the verb **发 (fā)**, meaning "to send out" or "to issue," is much more common.
    *   Example: 我要**发**一个朋友圈。(Wǒ yào **fā** yī gè péngyǒuquān.) - I'm going to post a WeChat Moment.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[粘贴]] (zhāntiē) - A more formal word for "to paste," and the standard term for "paste" in a computer's copy-paste function (复制粘贴 fùzhì zhāntiē).
  * [[补贴]] (bǔtiē) - The noun for "subsidy" or "allowance," one of the most common financial applications of **贴**.
  * [[创可贴]] (chuāngkětiē) - The specific word for a Band-Aid or adhesive bandage.
  * [[体贴]] (tǐtiē) - A synonym for `贴心 (tiēxīn)`, meaning considerate or thoughtful. It implies showing empathy for someone's needs.
  * [[倒贴]] (dàotiē) - To pay out of one's own pocket for something one shouldn't, often implying being taken advantage of.
  * [[帖子]] (tiězi) - The noun for an online forum post or thread.
  * [[靠近]] (kàojìn) - A verb meaning "to get close to" or "to approach." It's a good synonym for the physical proximity sense of **贴**.
  * [[春联]] (chūnlián) - Spring Festival couplets, the red banners that are culturally important to **贴** during Chinese New Year.
  * [[胶水]] (jiāoshuǐ) - Glue; the substance you use to **贴** things.