verb HSK 5
Traditional 擴散
to spread · to diffuse · to proliferate · to disseminate
Meaning
扩散 means to spread out or diffuse from a central point to a wider area. It describes the process of something expanding outward, whether physical substances like smoke or gas, abstract concepts like information or rumors, or dangerous things like diseases or nuclear weapons.
Usage
Commonly used in scientific, medical, and news contexts to describe the spreading of particles, diseases, information, or weapons. Often paired with nouns like 病毒 (virus), 信息 (information), 核武器 (nuclear weapons), or 影响 (influence). Can be used both literally for physical diffusion and figuratively for abstract spreading.
Examples
- 01这个谣言在网上迅速扩散开来。.This rumor spread rapidly online.
- 02我们必须采取措施防止病毒进一步扩散。.We must take measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Characters
Common collocations
- 扩散开来to spread out
- 防止扩散to prevent proliferation/spreading
- 迅速扩散to spread rapidly
- 核扩散nuclear proliferation
Antonyms
Origin
Compound word combining 扩 (expand) and 散 (scatter), literally meaning to expand and scatter outward.