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蔓延 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
蔓延mànyánto extendHSK 7, v, rank #8236, Hard
蔓延mànyánto spreadHSK 7, v, rank #8236, Hard
mànyán(man4yan2) T4
  1. 1to extend
  2. 2to spread
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March 24, 2026
蔓延mànyán(man4yan2)

蔓延 (màn yán) means to extend or spread, typically used to describe the gradual expansion of something, such as a phenomenon, disease, or even feelings. It conveys a sense of something spreading uncontrollably or over a wide area, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Frequency#8236DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 蔓延 can be linked to the spread of ideas or trends in Chinese society, where certain cultural phenomena can gain popularity rapidly, much like a viral trend in contemporary media.

Memory Tip

Imagine a vine (蔓) that is stretching (延) out across a garden, slowly taking over the space. The vine represents how things can spread or extend, just like the pronunciation 'màn yán' sounds like 'man' who is trying to stretch out his arms wide.

Meanings of 蔓延

mànyán(man4yan2)
1to extend
2to spread
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 蔓延

蔓延Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8236Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 蔓延

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Podcast: 蔓延

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AI Study Notes for 蔓延

Quick Contrast

扩散 (kuòsàn) - use 蔓延 when emphasizing uncontrollable spread, while 扩散 suggests a more neutral or controlled diffusion.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a vine (蔓) that is stretching (延) out across a garden, slowly taking over the space. The vine represents how things can spread or extend, just like the pronunciation 'màn yán' sounds like 'man' who is trying to stretch out his arms wide.

Usage Notes

蔓延 is often used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about health or environmental issues. A common mistake is using it with a subject that does not actively spread, like '蔓延一个人' (to spread a person), which is incorrect; instead, you would say '蔓延到一个地方' (to spread to a place).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 蔓延 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to growth, expansion, or influence. Focus on using it in sentences that discuss societal issues or natural phenomena, as these contexts are common in HSK 6 materials.

Cultural Note

The concept of 蔓延 can be linked to the spread of ideas or trends in Chinese society, where certain cultural phenomena can gain popularity rapidly, much like a viral trend in contemporary media.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蔓延 with '扩展' (kuòzhǎn), which means 'to expand' but doesn't carry the same connotation of uncontrolled spread. For example, saying '这个病扩展得很快' (this disease expands quickly) is less colloquial than '这个病蔓延得很快' (this disease spreads quickly).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蔓延

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Component Characters

蔓mánturnip
14 strokes艹
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延yánto prolong
HSK 76 strokes廴
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Write 蔓延

蔓
延

Practice writing 蔓延 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 蔓延

蔓延 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 2 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 4

Complete the Sentence

传染病正在遭受洪灾的很多灾民中____。

Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.

Example Sentences for 蔓延 (10)

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1
传染病正在遭受洪灾的很多灾民中蔓延。

chuán rǎn bìng zhèng zài zāo shòu hóng zāi de hěn duō zāi mín zhōng màn yán。

Infectious diseases are spreading among many of the flood victims.
2
一场严重的森林大火的蔓延使得形势更加复杂。

yī cháng yán zhòng de sēn lín dà huǒ de màn yán shǐ dé xíng shì gēng jiā fù zá。

The situation was complicated by the spread of a serious forest fire.
3
四处蔓延的政治和经济混乱可能会使宪法变得可有可无。

sì chǔ màn yán de zhèng zhì hé jīng jì hùn luàn kě néng huì shǐ xiàn fǎ biàn dé kě yǒu kě wú。

Widespread political and economic disarray threatens to make the constitution meaningless.
4
针对公众对该疾病的不断蔓延日益担忧，从而出台了这一举措。

zhēn duì gōng zhòng duì gāi jí bìng de bù duàn màn yán rì yì dān yōu， ， cóng ér chū tái le zhè yī jǔ。

The move follows growing public concern over the spread of the disease.
5
这疾病在蔓延, 五岁以下的小孩都有危险.

zhè jí bìng zài màn yán, , wǔ suì yǐ xià de xiǎo hái dū yǒu wēi.

The disease is spreading, and all children under five are at risk.
6
宗教原教旨主义正在这一地区蔓延。

zōng jiào yuán jiào zhǐ zhǔ yì zhèng zài zhè yī dì qū màn yán。

Religious fundamentalism was spreading in the region.
7
火势蔓延,卡车一辆接一辆地起火了.

huǒ shì màn yán, , kǎ chē yī liàng jiē yī liàng dì qǐ huǒ.

Truck after truck was set ablaze as the fire spread.
8
野兔 蔓延遍了整个大陆.

yě tù màn yán biàn le zhěng gè dà.

It ( 指 the rabb it ) overran a whole continent.
9
我转上土路，在蔓延至路面的树木和灌木间穿行。

wǒ zhuǎn shàng tǔ lù， ， zài màn yán zhì lù miàn de shù mù hé guàn mù jiān chuān。

I turned into the dirt road and followed it through encroaching trees and bushes.
10
拆倒房屋来隔绝火势的蔓延

chāi dǎo fáng wū lái gé jué huǒ shì de màn yán

Trench a fire by pulling down houses

Cultural Notes for 蔓延

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 蔓延 can be linked to the spread of ideas or trends in Chinese society, where certain cultural phenomena can gain popularity rapidly, much like a viral trend in contemporary media.

Frequently Asked Questions about 蔓延

Yes, 蔓延 can be used metaphorically to describe feelings spreading, such as '恐惧蔓延' (fear spreads).