蔓延

mànyán
verb HSK 7 #8,236

Meanings

  1. 1 to spread
  2. 2 to extend (of fire, disease, etc.)
  3. 3 to proliferate

Characters

Like vines () extending () outward — spreading uncontrollably

Examples

Huǒshì xùnsù mànyán dào le zhěng dòng lóu.
The fire quickly spread to the entire building.
Yìqíng zài quánqiú mànyán.
The epidemic spread across the globe.

Tips

memory
Both characters have the idea of spreading: is a creeping vine ( grass radical), means to extend. Together: spreading like vines — hard to stop.

Stroke Order

màn
yán