散

sàn

HSK 6

散 — sàn

1. to scatter; to disperse; to break up (a meeting)

   会议散了，大家都回家了。 huìyì sàn le dàjiā dōu huíjiā le — The meeting broke up; everyone went home.

2. to disseminate; to spread (information, ideas); to dispel (doubts, fears)

   政府散布了有关政策的说明以安抚民心。 zhèngfǔ sànbù le yǒuguān zhèngcè de shuōmíng yǐ ānfǔ mínxīn — The government disseminated explanations about the policy to reassure the public.

3. (colloquial) to sack; to fire (someone)

   他因为偷懒被老板散了。 tā yīnwèi tōulǎn bèi lǎobǎn sàn le — He was fired by the boss for being lazy.

散 — sǎn

1. scattered; loose; not tightly bound

   枯叶散在地上。 kūyè sàn zài dìshàng — Dry leaves are scattered on the ground.

2. to come loose; to fall apart

   纽扣散了，衣服快要掉了。 niǔkòu sàn le yīfú kuàiyào diào le — The button came loose; the clothing is about to fall off.

3. leisurely; relaxed

   他散步时神情悠闲，毫不着急。 tā sànbù shí shénqíng yōuxián háo bùzháo jí — He walked leisurely, looking relaxed and unhurried.

4. powdered (as in medicine) — fine powder

   中药要研成散再服用。 zhōngyào yào yánchéng sàn zài fúyòng — Traditional medicine should be ground into powder before taking.