宣扬

• Pinyin: xuān yáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 宣 = 宀 + 亘; 扬 = 扌(hand radical) + 昜 (sun rising/spreading light)

Meaning

To publicise; to promote; to spread (ideas, values, fame). To make something widely known, often with an implicit sense of active advocacy.

Can be positive (宣扬正能量 — spread positive energy) or negative (宣扬暴力 — promote violence). In modern use, appears frequently in media, ideological, and cultural discussions. Stronger than 传播 in suggesting deliberate promotion rather than passive spread.

Examples

1. 这部纪录片着力宣扬环保理念，通过真实案例唤起公众对生态保护的关注与责任感。 This documentary works hard to promote environmental values, using real cases to awaken the public’s concern and sense of responsibility for ecological protection.
2. 当局明令禁止任何宣扬分裂主义或煽动民族对立情绪的出版物。 Authorities explicitly prohibit any publications that promote separatism or incite ethnic hostility.
3. 他四处宣扬自己的成就，令周围的同事感到不适，渐渐与他疏远了。 He went around touting his achievements everywhere, making his coworkers uncomfortable, and they gradually distanced themselves from him.

Usage Guide

Context: media, politics, culture, social

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 学校通过多种渠道宣扬诚信守则，帮助学生从小树立正直诚实的价值观，形成良好的道德品格。(The school promotes the integrity code through various channels, helping students build honest and upright values from a young age and develop sound moral character.)
• 该媒体长期宣扬极端民族主义言论，已被监管部门责令整改并暂停相关栏目的播出。(The outlet has long promoted extreme nationalist rhetoric and has been ordered by the regulator to rectify its content and suspend the related programmes.)

Don't Say

• 她宣扬了一顿美味的晚饭 — 宣扬 means to actively spread ideas, values, or reputations; for sharing or recommending food use 分享 or 推荐; 宣扬 cannot take a concrete meal as its object

Origin & History

宣 (to announce) + 扬 (to spread/raise up)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal