弥漫

彌漫

mímàn

verb HSK 7-9 #14,038

Meanings

1 to fill the air; to pervade; to spread everywhere
2 to be suffused with (smoke, fog, atmosphere)

Characters

to fill; to overflow; full

to overflow; to spread; boundless

Both characters mean 'to overflow and spread.' Together they describe something intangible (smoke, fog, emotion) filling a space completely.

Examples

空气中弥漫着花香。

Kōngqì zhōng mímàn zhe huāxiāng.

The fragrance of flowers pervaded the air.

战场上弥漫着硝烟。

Zhànchǎng shàng mímàn zhe xiāoyān.

The battlefield was filled with gunpowder smoke.

恐惧的气氛弥漫了整个城市。

Kǒngjù de qìfēn mímàn le zhěnggè chéngshì.

An atmosphere of fear pervaded the entire city.

Tips

usage

弥漫 is almost always used with 着 (ongoing state) for things that linger — smoke, fog, scents, moods. The pattern 'X中弥漫着Y' (X is pervaded with Y) is the most natural construction.

Stroke Order

弥 mí

漫 màn