句子：日本核电站的核泄漏污染物正在向东扩散。 误译：The pollutants introduced by nuclear leakage from a Japanese nuclear power station are extending eastward。 正译：The pollutants introduced by nuclear leakage from a Japanese nuclear power station are spreading eastward。 解释：“扩散”具有“从扩展和传布，到散布，而影响或占据更大区域或范围”的意思。污染物是可以扩散的。to spread 具有to cover a larger and larger area的意思，相当于“扩散”。而 to extend 的意思是to become longer and larger，即“延伸”，但是污染物是不能延伸的。 “扩散”的第一个意思是指“国家影响、人类或信息向外扩展散布”。可以译为to spread。例如： 1. 周游许多国家以后，他发现中国的影响正在世界范围扩散。Having travelled in many countries, he found China’s influence is spreading worldwide。 2. 如果你扩散你朋友的婚姻秘密，他将会在心理上受到伤害。If you spread around your friend’s secret about his marriage, he will be hurt psychologically。 “扩散”的第二个意思是指“对人有害的病毒、感染、癌细胞、毒素、流感、污染物、危机、核武器等扩展传布”。动词可以译为to spread, to diffuse, to disperse, to proliferate。名词可以译为 spread, diffusion, proliferation。例如： 3. 他患了肺癌，而且癌细胞已经扩散。He has suffered from lung cancer, and the cancer cells have already proliferated。 4. 这座化工厂排放的污染物不断扩散。Pollutants discharged from this chemical works are constantly spreading around。 5. 中国政府坚决反对核扩散。The Chinese Government is resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation.