Toll Free - U.S.& Canada:  1-800-791-9386   Hong Kong:  800-902-058   Australia:  1-800-779-835
Free online Chinese learning support
  • Follow us on Facebook!
  • Watch Our YouTube Videos!
  • Follow us on Twitter!
  • Follow us on WeChat!
    Follow Us in WeChat by Scanning!
    Follow Us in "WeChat"
    by Scanning
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Explore Our Instagram Videos & Photos!
United Kingdom:  0-800-086-8969   Germany:  0-800-180-0341   Singapore:  800-130-1652
France:  0-805-080-689   Spain:  900-838-906    

What Do a 感染 (gǎn rǎn) and 传染 (chuán rǎn) Have in Common? Only This Chinese Quiz Will Tell

Jul. 25, 2020

With the outbreak of coronavirus, people following the news have probably seen the following words pop up over and over, but may be unsure what the difference is: “感染 (gǎnrǎn)” and “传染 (chuánrǎn)”. Today I’ll tell you how to use them.

感染 (gǎn rǎn): infection/infect.

(1) Pathological reactions caused by pathogenic microorganisms and parasites invading the body,growing, multiplying, and causing damage to the body.

Example:

轻度感染 (qīng dù gǎnrǎn): mild infection.

(2) Pathogens invade another body through a certain route from the source of infection.

Example:

tā gǎnrǎnle àizī bìngdú.
他感染了艾滋病毒。
He is infected with HIV.

(3) Arouse the same thoughts and feelings of others through language or other forms.

Example:

tā de xiào shēng gǎn rǎn le quán bān tóng xué.
她的笑声感染了全班同学。
She infected the whole class with her laughter.

传染 (chuán rǎn):infection/infect/be contagious.

(1) Caused by the spread of the disease

Example:

传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) :infectious disease

(2) Refers to the intrusion of pathogens from diseased organisms to other organisms, usually infectious means that the pathogens of infectious diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through a certain route .

Example:

tā bǎ liúgǎn chuánrǎn gěile tóngxué.
他把流感传染给了同学。
He transmitted the flu to his classmates.

(3)Arouse the same thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others through words or actions.

Example:

tā de kǒng jù yě chuán rǎn gěi le wǒ .
她的恐惧也传染给了我。
I was infected by her fear.

Differences and connections

(1) Both can be used to express resonance through language, words, behaviors, etc.

(2) Both are invaded by pathogens. “感染(gǎn rǎn)” focuses on being directly invaded by pathogens, and “传染 (chuán rǎn)” focuses on pathogens invading from one individual to another.

Common sentence structure:

n.+传染(chuán rǎn)+给了(gěile)+n.

n.+感染 (gǎn rǎn)+了(le)+n.

HSK 3 quiz

Please select the correct words and fill in the blanks

A. 感染 (gǎn rǎn)

B. 传染 (chuán rǎn)

1. tā nà jiāndìng de xìnxīn  ______ le wǒmen.
   他那坚定的信心 ______ 了我们。

2. tā bǎ xīnguān bìngdú  ______ gěile tā de jiārén.
   她把新冠病毒 ______ 给了她的家人。

3. xīnguān bìngdú ______ le hěnduō rén.
   新冠病毒 ______ 了很多人。

See Answer Analysis

Challenge Yourself to Identify More Similar Chinese Words:
“How to Properly Use 以前(yǐqián) and 从前(cóngqián)? Take the Quiz!”
Do you have 微信(Wēixìn) or 威信 (Wēixìn)?Confused?Take This Quiz!”
“What’s the Difference Between “几 (Jǐ)” and “多少 (Duōshao)”

HSK 1 quiz

Chinese Popular Words (Fun Stuff) 

General Chinese (Beginner Level) 

General Chinese (Intermediate Level) 

Got questions? Take a free 1-to-1 lesson with one of our professional teachers by signing up below:
Name: 
E-mail: 
Country/Region: 
-select-

search no result

Tel: 
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Submit

Write a comment

Your Name: 
Your Email:  Your email address will not be published.
Comments: 
Verification Code:  Verification Code Unclear? Try another one
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Email This Article
Recipients' email addresses:
(separate recipients with comma)
Your name:
Your e-mail address (optional):
Your message (optional):
Verification Code:
By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


Get 11 FREE Mandarin E-books
Sign up for a free trial now!
Get more information about our Chinese lessons through live chat
Get a FREE live 1-to-1 lesson and FREE e-books. Complete the form below:
Name:
E-mail:
Country/Region:
-select-

search no result

Tel:
By clicking Submit, you agree to our
Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.