Definition
蔓延 (mànyán) means 'to spread gradually', like a vine creeping outward — used for fire, disease, or negative trends. Unlike 传播 (chuánbō, general transmission) or 扩散 (kuòsàn, spatial diffusion), 蔓延 emphasizes a slow, uncontrollable, and often harmful expansion. It also differs from 延伸 (yánshēn, linear extension like a road).
verb
to spread (of fire, diseases, negative trends)to extend gradually
Examples
- 蔓延。Zhè zhǒng jíbìng zhèngzài quánqiú màn yán.This disease is spreading globally.
- 蔓延。Huǒshì mànmàn màn yán kāi lái.The fire slowly spread outward.
- 蔓延。Bùliáng fēngqì róngyì zài niánqīngrén zhōng màn yán.Bad practices easily spread among young people.
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