感染

gǎnrǎn

verb HSK 7 #2,067

Meanings

1 to infect; to be infected
2 to influence emotionally; to move

Characters

to feel; to sense

to dye; to contaminate

Literally 'feel and dye' — something that seeps in and colors you, whether a virus or an emotion.

Examples

他感染了流感病毒。

Tā gǎnrǎn le liúgǎn bìngdú.

He was infected with the flu virus.

他的热情感染了在场的每个人。

Tā de rèqíng gǎnrǎn le zàichǎng de měi gè rén.

His enthusiasm was infectious and moved everyone present.

Tips

usage

感染 has two distinct meanings that share a beautiful metaphor: diseases 'dye' your body, and emotions 'dye' your heart. The medical meaning (被感染 'get infected') and the emotional meaning (感染力 'infectious charm') are equally common.

Stroke Order

感 gǎn

染 rǎn