Meaning of 延伸
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to extend; to stretch; to expand; to spread
How to use 延伸
延伸 describes something physical or abstract reaching farther in space or scope, such as roads, rail lines, mountains, or ideas. It often takes a direction or destination, as in 延伸到 or 向...延伸. Example: 这条铁路一直延伸到海边。(Zhè tiáo tiělù yìzhí yánshēn dào hǎibiān.) This railway extends all the way to the coast.
延 (yán) means to draw something out longer, and 伸 (shēn) means to stretch, as in 伸手 (shēnshǒu), to reach out a hand. Picture a road being drawn out and stretched farther ahead, and you have 延伸, to extend.
Common mistake: Learners often use 延伸 for time, but making a meeting or deadline longer is 延长 (yáncháng) or 延期 (yánqī), not 延伸. Also keep the tones straight: yán is second tone and shēn is first tone, not shén.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
延 yán · to prolong · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
伸 shēn · to stretch · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 延伸.
| 延长 | yáncháng | to prolong; to extend |
| 延续 | yánxù | to continue; to go on |
| 延期 | yánqī | to delay; to extend |
| 拖延 | tuōyán | to delay; to put off |
| 蔓延 | mànyán | to spread; to extend |
| 伸手 | shēnshǒu | to reach out with one's hand; to hold out a hand |
| 延误 | yánwù | to postpone (with unfortunate consequences); to take too long (to do sth); to miss (a dead |
| 伸张 | shēnzhāng | to uphold (e.g. justice or virtue); to promote |
| 延缓 | yánhuǎn | to defer; to postpone |
| 伸缩 | shēnsuō | to lengthen and shorten; flexible |
| 伸出 | shēnchū | to extend |
| 延迟 | yánchí | to delay; to postpone |
Questions about 延伸
What does 延伸 mean?
延伸 (yánshēn) means "to extend; to stretch; to expand; to spread" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 延伸?
延伸 is made of 2 characters: 延 (6 strokes), 伸 (7 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 延伸 an HSK word?
Yes. 延伸 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 延伸 and 蔓延?
延伸 is neutral and usually describes something extending along a line or direction, like a road or an argument. 蔓延 (mànyán) means spreading out in all directions, often for things like fire, disease, or panic, and it usually carries a negative feel.
Can 延伸 be used for ideas or meanings?
Yes. It is common in phrases like 延伸意义 (yánshēn yìyì), an extended meaning, and 延伸阅读 (yánshēn yuèdú), further reading. In these cases it means taking something beyond its original scope.