玻璃

bōli

noun HSK 5 #2,191

Measure Word

一块玻璃 kuài

Meanings

1 glass (material)
2 glass; pane of glass

Characters

(used only in 玻璃)

(used only in 玻璃)

Both characters have the 王 (jade) radical, reflecting that glass was once as precious as jade. Neither character is used independently.

Examples

小心，别把玻璃打碎了。

Xiǎoxīn, bié bǎ bōli dǎ suì le.

Be careful, don't break the glass.

这扇窗户的玻璃很厚。

Zhè shàn chuānghù de bōli hěn hòu.

The glass in this window is very thick.

他戴着一副玻璃眼镜。

Tā dài zhe yí fù bōli yǎnjìng.

He wears a pair of glass-lens spectacles.

Tips

usage

玻璃 is a loanword from Sanskrit (sphaṭika). 玻璃心 (bōli xīn, 'glass heart') is popular internet slang for someone who is overly sensitive and easily hurt.

grammar

The second syllable is neutral tone: bō li (not bō lí).

Stroke Order

玻 bō

璃 lí