noun HSK 5
Traditional 顆粒
grain · granule · particle · pellet
Meaning
颗粒 refers to small, discrete pieces or particles of matter. It can describe anything from grains of rice or sand to pills, pellets, or microscopic particles. The word emphasizes the individual, separate nature of small solid pieces.
Usage
Commonly used in everyday contexts (food grains, medicine) and scientific/technical contexts (particles in physics or chemistry). Often appears in compounds like 颗粒状 (granular form) or 颗粒物 (particulate matter). Native speakers use it for anything small and grain-like in appearance.
Examples
- 01这种药是颗粒状的，用温水冲服。, .This medicine is in granular form; take it dissolved in warm water.
- 02空气中的颗粒物会影响人们的健康。.Particulate matter in the air can affect people's health.
Characters
Measure words
- 颗一颗颗粒
- 粒一粒颗粒
Common collocations
- 颗粒状granular form
- 颗粒物particulate matter
- 药物颗粒medicinal granules
- 颗粒无收complete crop failure (idiom)
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to small, round objects. 颗 contains the radical 页 (head) and originally referred to small round items. 粒 contains 米 (rice), directly connecting to grains and small particles.