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散发 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
散发sànfāto distributeHSK 6, v, rank #7457, Hard
散发sànfāto emitHSK 6, v, rank #7457, Hard
散发sànfāto issueHSK 6, v, rank #7457, Hard
sànfā(san4fa1) T4
  1. 1to distribute
  2. 2to emit
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March 24, 2026
散发(散發)sànfā(san4fa1)

散发 (sànfā) refers to the act of distributing, emitting, or issuing something. This term is often used in contexts where substances like light, smell, or heat are released, as well as in distributing items or information. It carries a connotation of spreading or radiating outwards.

Frequency#7457DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '散发' can also refer to the way emotions or attitudes are expressed, as in someone 'emitting' a positive energy or aura, which is often referenced in discussions about personal relationships or social interactions.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fan (散发) blowing out a refreshing scent (发) from a flower, dispersing it into the air. The character 散 (sàn) suggests scattering, while 发 (fā) evokes the idea of issuing forth, much like the scent spreading around.

Meanings of 散发

sànfā(san4fa1)
1to distribute
2to emit
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 散发

散发Simplified
散發Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#7457Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 散发

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Podcast: 散发

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AI Study Notes for 散发

Quick Contrast

散发 (sànfā) vs 释放 (shìfàng) — use 散发 when referring specifically to the emission of substances like light or smell, while 释放 is more general and can refer to releasing or letting go of something.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a fan (散发) blowing out a refreshing scent (发) from a flower, dispersing it into the air. The character 散 (sàn) suggests scattering, while 发 (fā) evokes the idea of issuing forth, much like the scent spreading around.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tone when pronouncing 散发, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. The word is mostly used in formal contexts, particularly in scientific or technical discussions, and often collocates with terms like '气味' (qìwèi, smell) and '热量' (rèliàng, heat).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 散发 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to distribution and emission in various fields. Focus on its usage in contexts like environmental science or technology to enhance understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '散发' can also refer to the way emotions or attitudes are expressed, as in someone 'emitting' a positive energy or aura, which is often referenced in discussions about personal relationships or social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 散发 with 发散 (fāsàn), which means to diverge or spread out. For example, saying '我散发了我的想法' (I emitted my thoughts) is incorrect; it should be '我表达了我的想法' (I expressed my thoughts).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 散发

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Component Characters

sǎnto scatter
HSK 612 strokes
View full entry
to send out
HSK 35 strokes
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Write 散发

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Grammar Patterns of 散发

散发 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

有人在入口处____传单。

There were people at the entrance giving out leaflets.

Example Sentences for 散发 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
有人在入口处散发传单。

yǒu rén zài rù kǒu chǔ sàn fā chuán dān。

There were people at the entrance giving out leaflets.
2
角落里那只未盖盖子的桶散发着臭味。

jiǎo luò lǐ nà zhī wèi gài gài zǐ de tǒng sàn fā zháo chòu wèi。

The uncovered bucket in the corner stank.
3
她把一缕散发从眼前甩开。

tā bǎ yī lǚ sàn fā cóng yǎn qián shuǎi kāi。

She shrugged a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
4
炉子里散发出木柴燃烧时的浓烈香味。

lú zǐ lǐ sàn fā chū mù chái rán shāo shí de nóng liè xiāng wèi。

The heady aroma of wood fires emanated from the stove.
5
茶开始散发涩味的过程称作发酵。

chá kāi shǐ sàn fā sè wèi de guò chéng chēng zuò fā jiào。

The process, in which the tea develops its characteristic astringency, is known as fermentation.
6
警察很快就找到了那些散发二十元票面伪币的家伙.

jǐng chá hěn kuài jiù zhǎo dào le nà xiē sàn fā èr shí yuán piào miàn wěi bì de jiā huǒ.

The police quickly found the distributors of the bogus twenty - dollar bills.
7
她的身子散发出体香.

tā de shēn zǐ sàn fā chū tǐ xiāng.

Her body gave off an animal warmth.
8
这套衣服微微散发一种馥郁的玫瑰香.

zhè tào yī fú wēi wēi sàn fā yī zhǒng fù yù de méi guī xiāng.

The suit exudes a faint charming rose scent.
9
地面还散发着雨后的气息,他们把鞋上弄得全是泥。

dì miàn huán sàn fā zháo yǔ hòu de qì xī, , tā mén bǎ xié shàng nòng dé quán shì。

The ground still smelled of rain and they muddied their shoes.
10
他向她俯过身来,身上散发着浓浓的汗味。

tā xiàng tā fǔ guò shēn lái, , shēn shàng sàn fā zháo nóng nóng de hàn。

He leaned over her, smelling strongly of sweat.

Cultural Notes for 散发

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of '散发' can also refer to the way emotions or attitudes are expressed, as in someone 'emitting' a positive energy or aura, which is often referenced in discussions about personal relationships or social interactions.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the term 'emit' is primarily used in scientific contexts, while 'distribute' is more common in business; 散发 blends these ideas, encompassing both physical and metaphorical distributions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 散发

Common collocations include 散发气味 (sànfā qìwèi, emit scent) and 散发热量 (sànfā rèliàng, emit heat).