noun HSK 4
Traditional 液體
liquid · fluid

Meaning

液体 refers to the liquid state of matter, one of the three fundamental states alongside solid (固体) and gas (气体). It describes any substance that flows freely and takes the shape of its container, such as water, oil, or juice.

Usage

This is a formal, scientific term commonly used in academic contexts, chemistry, physics, and everyday situations requiring precise terminology. In casual conversation, people might simply name the specific liquid (水, 油, etc.) rather than using the general term 液体. Often appears in contexts discussing states of matter, chemistry experiments, or liquid restrictions (like at airports).

Examples

  1. 01
    水在零度以下会从液体变成固体。
    Shuǐ zài líng xià huì cóng biàn chéng .
    Water changes from liquid to solid below zero degrees.
  2. 02
    机场安检时不能携带超过一百毫升的液体
    chǎng ān jiǎn shí néng xié dài chāo guò bǎi háo shēng de .
    You cannot carry liquids exceeding 100 milliliters through airport security.

Characters

Measure words

  • zhǒng三种液体
  • píng一瓶液体

Common collocations

  • 液体状态
    zhuàng tài
    liquid state
  • 液体燃料
    rán liào
    liquid fuel
  • 液体食物
    shí
    liquid food
  • 禁止携带液体
    jìn zhǐ xié dài
    liquids prohibited

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 液 (liquid/fluid) with 体 (body/substance/form), literally meaning 'liquid substance.' This is a modern scientific term formed to parallel 固体 (solid) and 气体 (gas) in Chinese scientific terminology.

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