粘
nián , zhān · HSK 7
to stick
🍡 粘 = rice (米) + occupy (占): the grain that occupies and clings — glutinous, sticky
Left side 米 means rice; sticky rice is the classic glutinous, adhesive food. Read nián for the sticky quality, zhān for the act of sticking or adhering.
粘 — rice 米 + occupy 占 (phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound: 米 (rice) gives the meaning, since sticky rice paste was a common adhesive, while 占 supplies the sound. The character originally referred to glutinous, sticky substances like rice paste, and later broadened to mean 'sticky' or 'to stick/adhere' in general.