督促 is a compound verb meaning 'to supervise and urge'—it combines 督 (dū), which means 'to oversee, supervise, or monitor', and 促 (cù), meaning 'to urge, prompt, or spur on'. Together, they emphasize active oversight paired with persistent encouragement to ensure tasks are completed correctly and on time. It implies authority and responsibility: the person doing the urging typically has a formal role (e.g., manager, teacher, or government official) and expects accountability.

This word is commonly used in professional, administrative, educational, and policy-related contexts—such as supervising project progress, ensuring compliance with regulations, or following up on student assignments. It carries a formal, slightly serious tone and is rarely used in casual conversation among peers. Unlike simple synonyms like 'remind' or 'ask', 督促 suggests structured follow-up with expectations of results.