衍 yǎn to overflow
to overflow; to spread out
How to remember 衍: 彳 crossroads + 氵 water + 亍 footstep = to overflow. At the crossroads the boy hears water rushing, and with his next footstep lands in a puddle, because the fountain has started to overflow.
Component breakdown
会意 · Meaning + meaning
Two or more parts whose meanings together make the new meaning.
衍 = 彳 crossroads + 氵 water + 亍 footstep
- 彳 crossroads meaning
- 氵 water meaning
- 亍 footstep meaning
At the crossroads the boy hears water rushing, and with his next footstep lands in a puddle, because the fountain has started to overflow.
How it came to be
The oldest form shows water flowing along a road, between its two sides.
How it is used
- 'To spread out / derive': 衍生 (yǎnshēng) to derive/spin off (衍生品 derivatives, 衍生剧 a spin-off show), 繁衍 (fányǎn) to reproduce/multiply (of populations).
- Note the odd one out: 敷衍 (fūyǎn) means to do something perfunctorily / go through the motions; 敷衍了事 (do a slapdash job).