附着 (fù zhuó) is a verb meaning 'to adhere' or 'to cling to'—describing the physical act of one thing attaching firmly to another surface, often without glue or external force. The first character 附 (fù) means 'to attach' or 'to join', while 着 (zhuó) here functions as a resultative complement indicating successful attachment or a stable state of clinging. Together, they emphasize close, persistent contact between two surfaces.

This word is commonly used in scientific, medical, and biological contexts—especially when describing how microorganisms, parasites, or cells bind to host tissues. It also appears in materials science (e.g., paint adhering to metal) and everyday descriptions of dust, mold, or barnacles on surfaces. Unlike the more general 粘 (niān), 附着 implies tighter, often biologically or physically tenacious bonding, and is slightly formal or technical in register.