breed; multiply; propagate
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to breed; to multiply; to propagate (of organisms)
Variant form of 滋生. Primarily used for bacteria, insects, and plants reproducing in large numbers. Often carries a negative connotation when referring to pests or pathogens.
Xià夏
jì季
wū污
shuǐ水
róng容
yì易
zī孳
shēng生
wén蚊
chóng虫
。
Sewage tends to breed mosquitoes in the summer.
Wēn温
nuǎn暖
cháo潮
shī湿
de的
huán环
jìng境
huì会
shǐ使
xì细
jūn菌
dà大
liàng量
zī孳
shēng生
。
Warm and humid environments cause bacteria to multiply rapidly.
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Chí池
táng塘
lǐ里
zī孳
shēng生
le了
xǔ许
duō多
shuǐ水
cǎo草
。
Many aquatic plants have proliferated in the pond.
verb
to cause; to create; to provoke (of abstract things)
formalVariant form of 滋生. Used for abstract nouns like troubles, disputes, or crimes. Less common than 滋生 in this usage.
Guǎn管
lǐ理
bù不
yán严
róng容
yì易
zī孳
shēng生
fǔ腐
bài败
。
Lax management easily breeds corruption.
Xiǎo小
shì事
bù不
lǐ理
huì会
，
kě可
néng能
zī孳
shēng生
dà大
má麻
fan烦
。
Neglecting small matters may lead to big troubles.