jiāoshuǐ: 胶水 - Glue, Adhesive

Keywords: 胶水, jiāoshuǐ, glue in Chinese, Chinese word for glue, adhesive in Chinese, what is jiaoshui, how to say glue in Mandarin, HSK 3 vocabulary, Chinese stationery

Summary: Discover the meaning of 胶水 (jiāoshuǐ), the common Mandarin Chinese word for “glue” or “adhesive.” This guide breaks down the characters 胶 (jiāo) and 水 (shuǐ) to show how they literally mean “glue-water.” Learn how to use this essential HSK 3 noun in everyday situations, from buying stationery and doing crafts to understanding related concepts like tape (胶带) and glue sticks (胶棒). This entry provides practical example sentences and cultural context for beginner learners.

Pinyin (with tone marks): jiāoshuǐ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: A substance used for sticking objects or materials together; glue.

In a Nutshell: 胶水 (jiāoshuǐ) is the direct and most common way to say “glue” in Chinese. It's a compound word that literally translates to “glue-water,” which perfectly describes common liquid adhesives. You'll hear and use this word in any context where you'd say “glue” in English—at school, in an office, for home repairs, or when doing arts and crafts. It's a fundamental vocabulary word for everyday objects.

胶 (jiāo): This character refers to sticky, gelatinous, or rubbery substances. The radical on the left, 月, is the “flesh” radical. This hints at the origin of traditional glue, which was often made from animal hides, bones, and tissues.

水 (shuǐ): This is one of the most basic Chinese characters, a pictograph of flowing water. It simply means “water” or “liquid.”

Word Formation: The characters combine logically and transparently. 胶 (jiāo) provides the concept of “adhesion,” and 水 (shuǐ) describes its “liquid” form. Together, 胶水 (jiāoshuǐ) creates a clear and easy-to-remember word for liquid glue.

The concept of 胶水 (jiāoshuǐ) as a utilitarian object is culturally universal. Just like in the West, it's a staple of classrooms, offices, and workshops in China. Its significance lies in its role in creation, mending, and education—from a child's first craft project to complex manufacturing.

While the literal meaning is identical to the English “glue,” the character 胶 (jiāo) is used in a figurative way that reflects a cultural value on strong bonds. The idiom 如胶似漆 (rú jiāo sì qī), meaning “like glue and lacquer,” is a poetic way to describe a couple that is inseparable and deeply in love. This is similar to the English phrase “joined at the hip” but carries a more classical, literary weight. This highlights how a simple, physical concept (stickiness) can be elevated to describe the valued ideal of a permanent, binding relationship.

胶水 (jiāoshuǐ) is a high-frequency, practical word used in neutral, everyday contexts. Its usage is almost always literal.

Shopping: When you go to a stationery store (文具店, wénjùdiàn), you would ask for 胶水 for general-purpose liquid glue, or more specifically a 胶棒 (jiāobàng) for a glue stick.

Education and Crafts: Teachers and parents use this word constantly when instructing children on art projects. “用胶水把图片粘上” (Yòng jiāoshuǐ bǎ túpiàn zhān shàng) - “Use glue to stick the picture on.”

Repairs: For simple home repairs, you might use 胶水 to fix a broken object. For more serious jobs, you'd likely specify a stronger type, like 万能胶 (wànnéngjiāo), or “superglue.”

Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings without any change.

胶棒 (jiāobàng) - Glue stick. A solid, tube-based glue common in schools and offices.

胶带 (jiāodài) - Adhesive tape. The common word for Scotch tape, packing tape, etc.

万能胶 (wànnéngjiāo) - Superglue or all-purpose glue. A much stronger adhesive (lit. “10,000-purpose glue”).

粘贴 (zhāntiē) - To paste; to stick. This is the primary verb you use with glue.

文具 (wénjù) - Stationery. The category of goods that 胶水 belongs to.

如胶似漆 (rú jiāo sì qī) - An idiom meaning “like glue and lacquer”; describes people (usually a couple) who are inseparable.

橡胶 (xiàngjiāo) - Rubber. Another common word that uses the character 胶.

黏 (nián) - The adjective for “sticky” or “tacky.”