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繁衍 (fán yǎn) — to multiply, to reproduce

Definition

繁衍 is a formal, often written verb for biological reproduction or population growth. It overlaps with 繁殖 but sounds more literary and focuses on lineage over generations; 复制 and 再现 mean 'reproduce/copy' in non-biological senses.

verb
to multiplyto reproduce

Examples

  • 繁衍。
    Zhè xiē shēng wù zài è liè de huán jìng zhōng yě néng fán yǎn.
    These creatures can also reproduce in harsh environments.
  • 繁衍。
    Zhè ge cūn zi lǐ de jiā zú yǐ jīng fán yǎn le hǎo jǐ bǎi nián.
    The families in this village have multiplied for several hundred years.
  • 繁衍。
    Yǒu xiào de bǎo hù cuò shī kě yǐ cù jìn bīn wēi wù zhǒng de fán yǎn.
    Effective protection measures can promote the reproduction of endangered species.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

繁fánincrease
衍yǎnspread

繁 (increase) and 衍 (spread) together mean to multiply.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
敏
敏mǐn繁fán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

繁 pairs 敏, a sound part, with 糸, meaning silk.

Open 繁 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

衍 is made from 行, a path or way to move, and 水, water.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Biology

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.