普及（ふきゅう、fukyuu）
- spread

The Japanese word 普及 (ふきゅう) means "spread," "diffusion," "popularization," or "dissemination." It describes the process of something becoming widely used, known, or accepted throughout a population or a specific area. It refers to the expansion and widespread adoption of something, such as a technology, idea, product, or practice. The core meaning emphasizes the act of making something available to a large number of people or in a broad area. The word often carries a sense of active promotion or facilitation of this spread. 普及 emphasizes the end result or the state of something being widespread.

⚫︎ 新しい技術が全国に 普及 する Translation: New technology will spread nationwide. ⚫︎ インターネットの 普及 が私たちの生活を変えた Translation: The spread of the internet changed our lives.

You can use 普及 in various contexts when discussing the widespread adoption or use of something. For example: ⚫︎ When talking about new technologies or products becoming common. ⚫︎ When discussing the spread of ideas, beliefs, or cultural practices. ⚫︎ When referring to the dissemination of information. It is often used in formal settings and written language but can also be used in more casual conversations depending on the context. The verb form of 普及 is 普及する (fukyū suru), which means "to spread" or "to become widespread."

普及 is written using the kanji 普及. The reading is ふきゅう (fukyū). There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always "する" (suru) when used as a verb to indicate "to do" or "to become."

⚫︎ 広がる (hirogaru) - to spread, to expand ⚫︎ 浸透 (shintō) - penetration, permeation (more specific for the idea/concept to spread through something) ⚫︎ 蔓延 (man'en) - to spread widely (often used for negative things like disease or bad habits) ⚫︎ 拡散 (kakusan) - diffusion, scattering (more scientific usage, not for social concepts)

⚫︎ 衰退 (suitai) - decline, decay ⚫︎ 縮小 (shukushō) - reduction, contraction ⚫︎ 絶滅 (zetsumetsu) - extinction

スマートフォンの 普及 により、人々の情報収集方法が変わった。 ・Translation: Due to the widespread use of smartphones, people's information gathering methods have changed. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how the spread of smartphones has influenced daily life.

この新しい教育方法はまだ一部の学校でしか 普及 していない。 ・Translation: This new educational method is still not widespread, only being used in a few schools. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates that the " 普及 " has not completed yet, so it is just in the process.

The word 普及 is a compound word formed from two kanji: ⚫︎ 普 (fu) - meaning "universal," "common," or "general." ⚫︎ 及 (kyū) - meaning "to reach," "to extend," or "to spread to." Together, these kanji convey the meaning of something becoming "universally" or "commonly" spread or reaching a wide audience.