普及 (pǔ jí) is a verb meaning 'to popularize' or 'to make widespread.' It combines 普 (pǔ), meaning 'universal' or 'general,' and 及 (jí), meaning 'to reach' or 'to extend to.' Together, they convey the idea of extending something — such as knowledge, technology, or practices — so that it reaches and is adopted by a broad population. The word emphasizes intentional, large-scale dissemination rather than accidental spread.

It's commonly used in formal, educational, policy, or media contexts — for example, when discussing public health campaigns, digital literacy initiatives, or science education reform. While it can appear in written and spoken Chinese, it's more frequent in official statements, news reports, and academic writing than in casual conversation. 普及 often appears with objects like 'science knowledge,' 'internet access,' or 'physical education,' and frequently pairs with verbs like 'promote,' 'accelerate,' or 'achieve.'