散 (sàn) — to disperse, to scatter; to spread (news, information); to distribute, to hand out
Definition
散 (sàn) is the plain verb 'to disperse / spread / hand out.' Pairs with 分 as 分散 (to scatter, adj./v.) and with 发 as 散发 (to hand out, or to give off a smell). For spreading news/rumors specifically, prefer 散布.
verb
to disperseto scatterto spread (news, information)to distributeto hand out
Easily confused
Examples
- ，散。Huì yì jié shù hòu, dà jiā màn màn sàn le.After the meeting ended, everyone slowly dispersed.
- 。Zhè ge xiāo xi hěn kuài jiù sàn kāi le.This news quickly spread.
- 。Qǐng bǎ chuán dān sàn fā gěi lù rén.Please distribute the flyers to passersby.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
- 林林líntrees, forest
- 攴攴pūto knock, to tap
散 combines 林 (trees or forest) and 攴 (to knock or tap), originally showing knocking to clear vegetation, later extended to breaking up or dispersing.
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