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March 24, 2026
玻璃bōli(bo1li5)
玻璃 (bō li) refers primarily to 'glass', a transparent material commonly used in windows, bottles, and various containers. It can also refer to items made from glass, such as glassware. In slang usage, it can denote a male homosexual, reflecting a cultural nuance in language.
Frequency#2191DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, glass is often used in traditional tea ceremonies, where glass teapots allow for a beautiful view of the tea, symbolizing transparency and purity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'bowl' of 'liquid' that is so clear you can see through it—this visualizes the transparency of glass. The character 玻 combines the radical for 'jade' (玉), suggesting something precious and clear, while 璃 relates to glass, enhancing the memory of its meaning.
Meanings of 玻璃
bōli(bo1li5)
1glass
2nylon
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 玻璃
玻璃Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2191Frequency Rank
张Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 玻璃
Podcast: 玻璃
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AI Study Notes for 玻璃
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'bowl' of 'liquid' that is so clear you can see through it—this visualizes the transparency of glass. The character 玻 combines the radical for 'jade' (玉), suggesting something precious and clear, while 璃 relates to glass, enhancing the memory of its meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 玻璃 with 塑料 (sù liào), which means plastic; remember that 玻璃 is for glass specifically. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with slang usage, as it may not be appropriate in all situations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 玻璃 is useful in discussing materials and objects. Focus on how it connects to other words related to materials (such as 塑料, 木头 [wood], and 金属 [metal]) to enhance vocabulary on this topic.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, glass is often used in traditional tea ceremonies, where glass teapots allow for a beautiful view of the tea, symbolizing transparency and purity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 玻璃, confusing the tones; remember it is bō (first tone) li (fifth tone). Additionally, some may mistakenly use the wrong measure word; the correct measure word for glass items is 张 (zhāng) for flat objects or 块 (kuài) for pieces.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 玻璃
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Grammar Patterns of 玻璃
玻璃 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 6 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
Complete the Sentence
需要保护你的手臂和双腿免受____反射光线的照射。
Your arms and legs need protection from light bouncing off glass.
The building is impeccably modernist: glass, aluminium and grey.
7
在半玻璃杯水里面加上几滴。
zài bàn bō lí bēi shuǐ lǐ miàn jiā shàng jī dī。
Add a few drops to half a tumbler of water.
8
突如其来的一声巨响在建筑物间回荡着，震碎了玻璃。
tū rú qí lái de yī shēng jù xiǎng zài jiàn zhù wù jiān huí dàng zháo， ， zhèn suì le bō。
The bang came suddenly, echoing across the buildings, shattering glass.
9
有一点白兰地溢出了玻璃杯。
yǒu yī diǎn bái lán dì yì chū le bō lí bēi。
A little cognac slopped over the edge of the glass.
10
有玻璃门通到这个阳台。
yǒu bō lí mén tōng dào zhè gè yáng tái。
There were glass doors leading on to this balcony.
Cultural Notes for 玻璃
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, glass is often used in traditional tea ceremonies, where glass teapots allow for a beautiful view of the tea, symbolizing transparency and purity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 玻璃
玻璃 refers specifically to glass, while 塑料 means plastic.
Yes, 玻璃 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese when discussing items like windows, bottles, or glassware.
The slang usage of 玻璃 to mean male homosexual is informal and may not be understood by everyone; use it with caution.
