Meaning and Usage
"普及" means to spread or popularize something widely among people. It often refers to knowledge, technology, education, or practices becoming common or accessible to a broad population.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in contexts like education (e.g., 普及网络教育), technology (e.g., 新技术普及), and public awareness (e.g., 普及科学知识).
Collocations and Patterns
- 普及 + noun (e.g., 普及知识, 普及技术): to popularize or spread that noun widely.
- 普及 + 开来: emphasizes the process of spreading out extensively.
Nuances
Using 普及 implies a successful or ongoing process of making something widespread, often with an official or organized effort. It is more formal than simply saying "spread" and often relates to beneficial or constructive things.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse 普及 with 推广 (tuīguǎng), which also means to promote or spread but often has a commercial or marketing nuance. 普及 focuses more on making something accessible or common in society.