扩充 means 'to expand' or 'to increase in size, scope, or capacity', especially in a planned or systematic way. It combines 扩 (kuò), meaning 'to widen' or 'to extend', and 充 (chōng), meaning 'to fill' or 'to supplement'. Together, they convey the idea of adding to something already existing — not just making it bigger, but enriching or enhancing it with new elements. This word is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts such as education, technology, business, healthcare, and resource management.

Unlike more general verbs like 增加 (to increase) or 扩大 (to enlarge), 扩充 emphasizes augmentation *with purposeful supplementation* — for example, expanding a team by hiring new staff, broadening a database with additional entries, or deepening one’s knowledge through further study. It often implies that the original structure remains intact while gaining new components or capabilities.