促进 is a transitive verb meaning 'to promote' or 'to facilitate'—it describes actions that actively help something develop, improve, or happen more smoothly. The first character 促 (cù) means 'to urge' or 'to spur on', while 进 (jìn) means 'to advance' or 'to move forward'. Together, they convey the idea of giving impetus to progress—whether in health, education, economic development, or interpersonal relationships. It’s commonly used in formal and semi-formal contexts, especially in written Chinese, policy documents, news reports, and academic writing.

This word often appears with abstract nouns as its object, such as 经济发展 (economic development), 学习效率 (learning efficiency), or 健康 (health). It implies intentional, supportive effort—not accidental or passive influence. While it can occasionally appear in spoken language, it’s less common in casual conversation than simpler verbs like 帮助 (to help) or 推动 (to drive forward).