颗粒 (kē lì) is a compound noun meaning 'granule' or 'particle' — a small, distinct, often solid unit of matter. The first character 颗 (kē) is a measure word traditionally used for small, round, or pellet-like objects (e.g., pills, beads, seeds), while 粒 (lì) is another measure word for tiny, grain-shaped items (e.g., rice grains, sand). Together, they form a lexicalized noun emphasizing the physical form: something discrete, compact, and microscopic to visible in size.

This word appears frequently in scientific, medical, and technical contexts — such as describing drug formulations ('time-release granules'), food texture ('crunchy granules in cereal'), environmental science ('airborne particles'), or pathology ('abnormal cellular granules'). It is neutral in register and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, though rarely in casual daily conversation unless referring to specific products or health-related topics.