Definition
滋生 (zīshēng) means 'to breed, to generate' — used for both concrete things like bacteria or weeds and abstract things like conflicts or distrust. It differs from 繁殖 (fánzhí), which is a neutral biological term for reproduction in animals/plants; 滋生 carries a negative connotation of unwanted growth. It also differs from 培育 (péiyù), which is positive and implies intentional cultivation.
verb
to breedto generate (bacteria, conflicts, etc.)to grow (weeds, plants, especially unwanted)
Examples
- 滋生。Cháoshī de tiānqì róngyì zī shēng méijūn.Damp weather easily breeds mold.
- 滋生。Bú xìnrèn huì zī shēng gèng duō de wùhuì.Distrust breeds more misunderstandings.
- 滋生。Zhè piàn huāngdì zī shēng le xǔduō yěcǎo.This wasteland has grown many wild weeds.
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