传播

• Pinyin: chuán bō
• Hanzi breakdown: 传 = 亻(person) + 专 (specialized); 播 = 扌(hand) + 番 (to take turns), meaning to sow or broadcast

Meaning

To spread; to disseminate; to propagate. Describes the process of information, culture, or disease spreading widely.

Commonly used in media, health, and academic contexts. Appears in terms like 传播学 (communication studies) and 传播媒体 (mass media). Often used for news, knowledge, diseases, and cultural ideas.

Examples

1. 互联网让信息传播的速度越来越快。 The internet has made the speed of information dissemination faster and faster.
2. 我们应该传播正能量，不要传播谣言。 We should spread positive energy and not spread rumors.
3. 这种病毒主要通过空气传播。 This virus mainly spreads through the air.

Usage Guide

Context: media, health, academic

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 社交媒体传播信息的速度非常快。(Social media spreads information incredibly fast.)
• 我们要注意防止疾病传播。(We should pay attention to preventing the spread of disease.)

Don't Say

• 传播这本书给他 (Don't use 传播 for passing a physical object to someone — use 传递 or 递; 传播 refers to widespread dissemination, not handing something over)

Origin & History

Compound of 传 (transmit) and 播 (sow, broadcast), literally 'transmit and sow,' conveying widespread dissemination.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal