sànbù: 散布 - to Spread, Disseminate, Scatter

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 散布 (sànbù), a common Chinese verb for “to spread” or “disseminate.” This page explains how `散布` is most often used to describe the spreading of intangible things like rumors, news, or ideas, frequently with a negative connotation. Discover its cultural context, see practical example sentences, and learn how to distinguish it from similar words like `传播 (chuánbō)` to avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sànbù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To spread, scatter, or disseminate something (often information or rumors) over a wide area.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine holding a handful of leaflets, seeds, or a piece of gossip. 散布 (sànbù) is the action of throwing them into the air so they scatter everywhere, reaching a wide audience in a somewhat uncontrolled way. While it can be neutral, it's very frequently used for spreading negative things like rumors or false information.

• 散 (sàn): This character means “to scatter” or “to disperse.” Pictorially, you can think of it as something (like a bundle of sticks or meat, 月) being struck (by a hand holding a tool, 𣦼) and breaking apart, scattering the pieces.
• 布 (bù): This character means “to spread” or “to announce,” and it also famously means “cloth.” Imagine unfurling a large piece of cloth to cover a surface—that's the feeling of “spreading” contained in this character.

When combined, 散布 (sànbù) creates a vivid image of taking something and “scattering” it (散) so that it “spreads” (布) over a large area.

In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes social harmony (和谐, héxié), the uncontrolled flow of information can be seen as a threat to stability. The word 散布 (sànbù) taps directly into this cultural anxiety. While in the West, “gossip” can sometimes be seen as trivial or harmless, 散布谣言 (sànbù yáoyán - to spread rumors) is treated with much more severity in a Chinese context. It's not just idle chatter; it's an action that can cause someone to lose face (丢面子, diū miànzi), damage relationships, and disrupt the harmony of a group or community. Therefore, accusing someone of `散布` something is a serious charge, implying malicious intent or gross irresponsibility. This is why the term appears so frequently in news about misinformation and public warnings.

散布 (sànbù) is a very common word in media, online discussions, and official announcements.

• Negative Connotation (Most Common): This is its primary usage. It's the go-to verb for talking about the spread of anything undesirable.
  • 散布谣言 (sànbù yáoyán): to spread rumors
  • 散布假消息 (sànbù jiǎ xiāoxi): to spread fake news
  • 散布恐慌 (sànbù kǒnghuāng): to spread panic
• Neutral Connotation (Less Common): It can be used neutrally for the physical act of scattering things.
  • 散布种子 (sànbù zhǒngzǐ): to scatter seeds
  • 散布传单 (sànbù chuándān): to distribute/scatter leaflets
• Social Media and Internet: The internet has given `散布` new life. It's the perfect word to describe how quickly misinformation can go viral on platforms like Weibo or WeChat. You'll often see warnings like “请勿散布未经证实的信息” (Please do not spread unverified information).

• Example 1:
  • 他因在网上散布谣言而被警方拘留。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīn zài wǎngshàng sànbù yáoyán ér bèi jǐngfāng jūliú.
  • English: He was detained by the police for spreading rumors online.
  • Analysis: A classic, very common example. This sentence highlights the serious, often illegal, consequences of `散布` rumors in China.
• Example 2:
  • 这种假新闻的散布速度非常快。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng jiǎ xīnwén de sànbù sùdù fēicháng kuài.
  • English: The speed at which this type of fake news spreads is extremely fast.
  • Analysis: Here, `散布` is used as a noun (“the spread/dissemination”). This is a common pattern in Chinese where verbs can function as nouns depending on the context.
• Example 3:
  • 不要散布恐慌情绪，我们应该保持冷静。
  • Pinyin: Búyào sànbù kǒnghuāng qíngxù, wǒmen yīnggāi bǎochí lěngjìng.
  • English: Don't spread panic; we should remain calm.
  • Analysis: A common phrase used during emergencies or crises. It shows `散布` is about spreading an intangible feeling (panic) as well as information.
• Example 4:
  • 春天来了，农民们开始在田里散布种子。
  • Pinyin: Chūntiān lái le, nóngmínmen kāishǐ zài tián lǐ sànbù zhǒngzǐ.
  • English: Spring has come, and the farmers are beginning to scatter seeds in the fields.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of the neutral, physical meaning of `散布`. The action is literally “scattering” something.
• Example 5:
  • 他们在市中心散布宣传公司的传单。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen zài shìzhōngxīn sànbù xuānchuán gōngsī de chuándān.
  • English: They were distributing leaflets to promote the company in the city center.
  • Analysis: Another neutral, physical usage. Note that `散发 (sànfā)` could also be used here and is very common for distributing leaflets.
• Example 6:
  • 这种病毒通过空气散布。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng bìngdú tōngguò kōngqì sànbù.
  • English: This type of virus spreads through the air.
  • Analysis: While `传播 (chuánbō)` is more common for diseases, `散布` can be used to emphasize the wide, scattered nature of the transmission, like particles floating everywhere.
• Example 7:
  • 有人恶意散布关于他的不实言论。
  • Pinyin: Yǒurén èyì sànbù guānyú tā de bùshí yánlùn.
  • English: Someone is maliciously spreading false statements about him.
  • Analysis: The adverb `恶意 (èyì - maliciously)` reinforces the negative connotation inherent in `散布` in this context.
• Example 8:
  • 月光散布在湖面上，非常美丽。
  • Pinyin: Yuèguāng sànbù zài húmiàn shàng, fēicháng měilì.
  • English: The moonlight scattered across the lake's surface, it was very beautiful.
  • Analysis: A more poetic and literary usage. It captures the visual image of light scattering widely and unevenly.
• Example 9:
  • 该组织被指控散布极端思想。
  • Pinyin: Gāi zǔzhī bèi zhǐkòng sànbù jíduān sīxiǎng.
  • English: The organization was accused of disseminating extremist ideologies.
  • Analysis: This shows `散布` being used for abstract concepts like ideas or ideologies, almost always with a negative implication.
• Example 10:
  • 政府提醒公众警惕那些试图散布社会不信任的言论。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ tíxǐng gōngzhòng jǐngtì nàxiē shìtú sànbù shèhuì bù xìnrèn de yánlùn.
  • English: The government reminded the public to be wary of those remarks that attempt to sow social distrust.
  • Analysis: A formal, official-sounding sentence that demonstrates the term's use in the context of social stability and governance.

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing `散布` from similar-sounding words, especially `传播`.

• `散布 (sànbù)` vs. `传播 (chuánbō)`
  • 散布 (sànbù): Implies a wide, unorganized “scattering.” Often has a negative connotation (rumors, lies, panic). Think of throwing a handful of something.
  • 传播 (chuánbō): More neutral. Implies transmission or propagation, often in a more structured way. It can be positive (spreading knowledge, culture) or neutral (spreading news, disease). Think of a radio signal being broadcast or a story being passed from person to person.
  • Mistake: 你能帮我~~散布~~这个好消息吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ~~sànbù~~ zhège hǎo xiāoxī ma?)
  • Why it's wrong: `散布` sounds negative and accusatory. You're not “maliciously scattering” good news.
  • Correct: 你能帮我传播这个好消息吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ chuánbō zhège hǎo xiāoxī ma?) or …分享这个好消息吗？ (…fēnxiǎng zhège hǎo xiāoxī ma?)
• `散布 (sànbù)` vs. “Share” (`分享 fēnxiǎng`)
  • On social media, you 分享 (fēnxiǎng) things with friends. This word means “to share” and is personal, positive, and friendly.
  • You would only use `散布` to accuse someone of spreading a harmful post everywhere, not for your own daily sharing.
  • Mistake: 我在朋友圈散布了我的假期照片。(Wǒ zài péngyǒuquān sànbù le wǒ de jiàqī zhàopiàn.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are a spammer maliciously littering everyone's feed with your photos.
  • Correct: 我在朋友圈分享了我的假期照片。(Wǒ zài péngyǒuquān fēnxiǎng le wǒ de jiàqī zhàopiàn.)

• 传播 (chuánbō) - A key synonym that is more neutral or positive than `散布`. Means “to transmit, to propagate.”
• 谣言 (yáoyán) - Rumor; the noun most commonly paired with `散布`.
• 发布 (fābù) - To release, issue, or announce. Used for official information like a new product or government policy. It's a deliberate, one-to-many announcement.
• 散发 (sànfā) - To distribute (leaflets), to give off (a smell, light, heat). Often overlaps with the physical meaning of `散布`.
• 宣传 (xuānchuán) - To publicize, to promote; propaganda. Used when spreading information to promote a specific agenda or point of view.
• 流传 (liúchuán) - To circulate or spread (of a story, legend, song). It implies a more natural, organic process of circulation over time.
• 散开 (sànkāi) - To disperse, to spread out. Used for a crowd of people breaking up or for physical objects moving apart from a central point.