Meaning and Usage
"확산되다" means "to become diffused" or "to spread out." It is often used to describe the spreading of intangible things like information, rumors, viruses, or problems. The verb is passive and indicates that something is spreading or expanding on its own or by external factors.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "확산되다" in news reports about viruses, social phenomena, or environmental issues. It is a formal word often used in written and spoken Korean when discussing the spread of something significant.
Collocations and Patterns
- 확산되다 + 빠르게/급속히: to spread rapidly
- 정보가 확산되다: information spreads
- 소문이 확산되다: rumors spread
- 문제/감염이 확산되다: problems/infections spread
Usage Tips
"확산되다" is a passive verb, so it is not used with a direct object. Instead, the subject is the thing that spreads. Avoid confusing it with "확산시키다," which is the causative form meaning "to cause to spread." For example, "정부가 정보를 확산시켰다" means "The government caused the information to spread."
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This word is neutral to formal and is appropriate in academic, news, and formal conversation contexts.