宣传 (xuān chuán) is a verb meaning 'to promote' or 'to propagate' — especially information, ideas, products, or policies — to a wide audience. The character 宣 (xuān) means 'to declare publicly' or 'to announce', while 传 (chuán) means 'to transmit' or 'to pass on'. Together, they convey the idea of actively spreading a message so others receive and understand it. It’s commonly used in contexts like marketing, public service campaigns, political communication, and social awareness efforts.

This word often appears in formal or semi-formal settings — for example, government agencies use it for health or environmental initiatives, companies use it for new product launches, and NGOs use it for advocacy. While neutral in tone, 宣传 can carry subtle connotations depending on context: it may sound objective in official announcements but slightly persuasive or even manipulative if used critically (e.g., 'propaganda'). It frequently pairs with objects like 广告 (advertisement), 政策 (policy), or 理念 (idea).