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B1 noun #7,000 most common 7 min read

普及率

pujilv Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 普及率 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 普及率 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '普及率' (pǔjí lǜ) yourself, but you might start to see it in very simple charts or news headlines. Think of it as a way to say 'how many people have something.' For example, if you see '手机普及率 90%', it just means 90 out of 100 people have a phone. You can remember '普及' as 'everywhere' and '率' as 'number' or 'percent.' At this stage, focus on the idea that this word helps us talk about big groups of people. If you see it, just think: 'Oh, they are talking about how common something is.' You might hear a teacher say '现在电脑很普及' (Computers are very common now). The word '普及率' is just the more 'grown-up' or 'official' way to say that. Don't worry about the grammar too much yet, just recognize that '率' (lǜ) usually means a percentage (%) in Chinese words.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe the world around you with more detail. You can use '普及率' to talk about things that are very common in your country versus China. For instance, you could say '在我的国家，汽车的普及率很高' (In my country, the car penetration rate is very high). You are learning that Chinese uses specific suffixes like '率' to turn verbs into nouns that represent a rate. This is a great word to use when you are doing a simple presentation about your hometown or a technology you like. You should know that it is a noun and usually comes at the end of a phrase describing the item, like '互联网 (Internet) + 普及率 (rate).' You can also use simple adjectives with it, like '高' (high) and '低' (低). It's a 'power word' that makes your Chinese sound much more professional than just saying '很多人用' (many people use).

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '普及率' comfortably in discussions about technology, society, and the environment. This is a common word in the HSK 4 and 5 levels. You should understand that it's not just about 'popularity' (which is 流行), but about 'universal access' or 'ownership.' At this level, you should start pairing it with more complex verbs like '提高' (to improve), '达到' (to reach), and '统计' (to count/statistically measure). You might say, '政府正在努力提高农村地区的医疗普及率' (The government is working hard to improve the medical coverage rate in rural areas). You should also be able to read short news articles that use this word to describe economic trends. For example, if you read about '5G普及率,' you should understand that the article is discussing how many people are now using 5G networks. It's a key word for expressing the 'degree' of modernization in a society.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '普及率' with precision in both written and spoken Chinese. You should be able to distinguish it from similar terms like '覆盖率' (coverage rate) and '渗透率' (penetration rate). In a debate or an essay, you might use '普及率' to argue about social equality—for example, discussing the 'digital divide' (数字鸿沟) by comparing the internet penetration rates of different demographics. You should also be familiar with formal sentence patterns like '随着...的普及，...普及率已显著提高' (With the popularization of..., the penetration rate of... has significantly increased). Your usage should reflect an understanding that this is a statistical term. You might use it in a business context to describe market saturation: '由于智能手机普及率已接近饱和，厂家必须寻找新的增长点' (Since the smartphone penetration rate is nearing saturation, manufacturers must look for new growth points).

At the C1 level, your use of '普及率' should be nuanced and contextually perfect. You will encounter this word in academic papers, high-level economic reports, and sophisticated social commentary. You should understand the socio-political implications of this word in a Chinese context—how the '普及率' of certain services is tied to national development goals (如 '全面小康'). You should be able to use it in complex sentences involving statistical comparisons, such as '纵观过去十年，该项技术的普及率呈现出阶梯式增长的态势' (Looking back over the past decade, the penetration rate of this technology has shown a step-by-step growth trend). You should also be comfortable using it in abstract contexts, such as the '普及率' of a certain ideology or legal concept within a population. At this level, you don't just know the word; you know how it functions as a metric for social change and how to critique the data behind the rate.

At the C2 level, '普及率' is a tool for professional-grade analysis. You can use it to discuss the methodology of how these rates are calculated and the potential biases in reporting. You might analyze how the '普及率' of higher education impacts the long-term labor market or how '普及率' varies across different 'tiers' of Chinese cities (一线城市 vs. 三线城市). You should be able to use the word in high-stakes environments, such as delivering a keynote speech on technological trends or writing a policy recommendation. Your vocabulary should include related technical terms like '边际效应' (marginal effect) or '市场容量' (market capacity) to complement your discussion of '普及率.' You understand that '普及率' is not just a number, but a reflection of a society's infrastructure, economic health, and future potential. You can switch effortlessly between '普及率' and its synonyms to convey the exact flavor of 'spread' you intend to describe.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

普及率 in 30 Seconds

普及率 (pǔjí lǜ) means 'penetration rate' or 'popularity rate,' measuring how common something is within a specific population or geographic area.
It is a formal noun composed of '普及' (to popularize) and '率' (rate/ratio), frequently used in news, economics, and technology reports.
Commonly paired with verbs like '提高' (improve) and '达到' (reach), it helps quantify social progress and market saturation for products.
While similar to '流行' (popular), it is specifically statistical, focusing on ownership or access rather than just being a current trend.

The term 普及率 (pǔjí lǜ) is a vital noun in modern Mandarin Chinese, particularly within the realms of statistics, sociology, technology, and economics. To understand it, we must break down its components: 普及 (pǔjí), which means 'to popularize' or 'to make universal,' and 率 (lǜ), which denotes a 'rate,' 'ratio,' or 'proportion.' Together, they form a concept equivalent to 'penetration rate,' 'popularity rate,' or 'prevalence.' It describes the extent to which a specific product, service, idea, or technology has spread throughout a target population or geographic area.

Statistical Context: In formal reports, you will often see this word used to describe the success of government initiatives or market expansion. For instance, the 'Internet penetration rate' (互联网普及率) is a key metric for measuring a country's digital development.
Sociological Context: When discussing education or healthcare, 普及率 refers to how accessible these services are to the general public. A high 'compulsory education penetration rate' (义务教育普及率) indicates a well-developed social system.
Business Context: Marketing professionals use this term to evaluate market saturation. If the 普及率 of a product like smartphones is already at 95%, the market is considered saturated, and companies must look for new ways to grow.

In daily life, while you might not use it while buying groceries, you will hear it constantly on the news (新闻联播), in documentaries about China's rapid development, and in professional meetings. It is the go-to word for quantifying how 'common' something has become in a scientific or official manner.

随着科技的发展，智能手机的普及率在全球范围内迅速提高。

政府的目标是到2030年，新能源汽车的普及率达到百分之五十。

该地区的宽带普及率仍然低于全国平均水平。

九年义务教育的普及率是衡量社会进步的重要指标。

我们需要通过降低成本来提高这种新药的普及率。

Ultimately, 普及率 is about the 'reach' of progress. It allows speakers to move beyond vague terms like 'many people use it' and instead use a precise, data-driven term that commands authority in academic and professional discussions.

Using 普及率 (pǔjí lǜ) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun. It typically functions as the subject or the object of a sentence, often paired with verbs that describe change or measurement. Because it is a quantitative term, it is frequently associated with percentages and comparative adjectives.

Common Verb Pairings: You will often see it paired with verbs like 提高 (tí gāo - to improve/increase), 达到 (dá dào - to reach), 统计 (tǒng jì - to count/calculate), or 超过 (chāo guò - to exceed). For example: '提高普及率' (increase the penetration rate).
Adjective Modifiers: Common adjectives include 高 (high), 低 (low), 迅速 (rapid), and 缓慢 (slow). A sentence like '普及率非常高' (The penetration rate is very high) is a standard way to describe a ubiquitous technology.
The 'Category + 普及率' Structure: In Chinese, you place the noun being measured directly before 普及率 without a particle like '的' in many formal contexts, though '的' can be used for clarity. Example: 电脑普及率 (Computer penetration rate).

Let's look at how these structures play out in complex sentences. When you want to express that something has become common, you might say: '在这个城市，电动汽车的普及率已经达到了百分之三十' (In this city, the penetration rate of electric vehicles has already reached 30%). Notice how the rate functions as the anchor of the factual statement.

为了提高教育普及率，政府投入了大量资金。

这种新技术的普及率在年轻人中最高。

In business reports, you might encounter comparative structures: '虽然我们的产品质量很好，但市场普及率仍然低于竞争对手' (Although our product quality is very good, our market penetration rate is still lower than our competitors'). This demonstrates how the word is used to frame competitive analysis. Furthermore, when discussing social issues, one might say: '农村地区的互联网普及率与城市相比仍有差距' (The internet penetration rate in rural areas still has a gap compared to cities), highlighting the 'digital divide' (数字鸿沟).

You might wonder where a word like 普及率 (pǔjí lǜ) fits into real-world conversations. While it is certainly a formal word, its 'real-world' presence is surprisingly high in China due to the country's focus on national development goals and rapid technological shifts. You will hear it in the following specific scenarios:

Technology News and Product Launches: Whenever a new tech trend emerges—like 5G, AI, or smart home devices—tech reviewers and news anchors will discuss its 普及率. They use it to explain whether the tech is just a 'fad' for enthusiasts or if it has truly reached the 'masses.'
Government Policy Briefings: The Chinese government frequently releases 'White Papers' (白皮书) on topics like health, education, and the environment. In these briefings, officials use 普及率 to prove the effectiveness of their policies, such as the 'Universal Health Insurance Coverage Rate' (医保普及率).
Academic Lectures and Seminars: In university settings, particularly in economics or sociology departments, students and professors use this term to discuss data trends and developmental milestones.

Imagine you are watching a CCTV news segment about China's high-speed rail. The reporter might say: '目前，高铁在二线城市的普及率已显著提升' (At present, the penetration rate of high-speed rail in second-tier cities has significantly improved). Or, if you are at a corporate strategy meeting in Shanghai, your manager might ask: '如何才能在下个季度提高我们软件的普及率？' (How can we increase the penetration rate of our software in the next quarter?).

电视在20世纪80年代的中国普及率极低，但现在已经家家户户都有了。

Because Chinese society values collective progress and data-driven results, 普及率 is a word that bridges the gap between high-level policy and everyday reality. It is the language of 'modernity' and 'scale.' If you want to sound like a sophisticated observer of Chinese society, mastering this word is essential.

Even though 普及率 (pǔjí lǜ) seems straightforward, English speakers and even intermediate Chinese learners often stumble when applying it. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

Confusing '普及' (Verb/Adj) with '普及率' (Noun): A common error is saying '普及率很高' when you actually mean something is 'widely popularized.' While '普及率很高' (The rate is high) is correct, you cannot say '普及率了' (The rate has popularized). '普及' is the action; '普及率' is the statistical result. Use '普及' for the process and '普及率' for the data point.
Misusing '流行' (Liúxíng) as a Synonym: '流行' means 'popular' or 'trendy' in a cultural sense (like a song or a fashion style). You would not say '这首歌的普及率很高' (The penetration rate of this song is high) unless you are a music industry analyst looking at radio data. For general popularity, use 流行. For statistical ownership or usage across a population, use 普及率.
Redundancy with '百分比' (Percentage): Avoid saying '普及率的百分比' (The percentage of the penetration rate). 普及率 is already a rate/percentage. Simply state the number, like '普及率是80%'.

Another mistake involves the scale of the word. 普及率 is best suited for large populations (cities, countries, demographics). Using it for a small group (e.g., 'The penetration rate of coffee in my family') sounds overly formal and slightly robotic. In that case, just say '我家人都爱喝咖啡' (Everyone in my family loves coffee).

Incorrect: 这个产品的普及率很流行。
Correct: 这个产品的普及率很高。

Finally, remember that 普及率 describes the state of having something. If you are talking about the speed at which it is spreading, you should use '普及速度' (speed of popularization) instead. Precision in these suffixes (率 vs 速度 vs 程度) is what separates a B1 learner from a C1 speaker.

To truly master 普及率 (pǔjí lǜ), you must understand how it relates to other terms that describe 'spread' or 'commonality.' Depending on the context—marketing, engineering, or social science—you might choose a different word.

渗透率 (shèntòu lǜ) - Penetration Rate: This is the closest synonym, used almost exclusively in business and marketing. While 普及率 sounds like a social benefit (everyone has it!), 渗透率 sounds like a market conquest (we have captured this much of the market). Example: '市场渗透率' (Market penetration rate).
覆盖率 (fùgài lǜ) - Coverage Rate: This is used for infrastructure and signals. You talk about '4G网络覆盖率' (4G network coverage) or '森林覆盖率' (forest coverage). It implies a physical or geographical spread rather than individual ownership.
流行程度 (liúxíng chéngdù) - Degree of Popularity: This is less formal and used for trends, fashion, or slang. It doesn't require a hard percentage. Example: '这种发型的流行程度正在下降' (The popularity of this hairstyle is declining).

Here is a quick comparison table to help you distinguish them:

Word	Best For...	Nuance
普及率	Tech, Education, General Public	Universal access/ownership
渗透率	Business, Finance, Sales	Market share/competition
覆盖率	Signals, Forests, Insurance	Geographical/Systemic reach

When in doubt, use 普及率 for anything that feels like a 'standard' that people are expected to have (like clean water, education, or basic technology). Use the alternatives when you want to be more specific about the 'flavor' of the spread—whether it's a aggressive market move (渗透) or a broad physical blanket (覆盖).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '及' originally depicted a hand grabbing a person from behind, signifying 'catching up' or 'reaching.' In '普及率,' it signifies the technology 'reaching' the people.

Pronunciation Guide

UK pǔ jí lǜ

US pǔ jí lǜ

The emphasis is usually balanced across the three syllables, but 'lǜ' often sounds sharper due to the 4th tone.

Rhymes With

律 (lǜ) 绿 (lǜ) 虑 (lǜ) 剧 (jù) 续 (xù) 趣 (qù) 遇 (yù) 具 (jù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'lǜ' as 'lù'. The 'ü' sound is critical; keep your lips rounded.
Mixing up the tones, especially changing 'jí' (2nd) to 'jǐ' (3rd).
Mispronouncing 'pǔ' as 'pù' (4th tone).
Omitting the 'r' sound in the English translation 'rate' when thinking in Chinese.
Treating 'lǜ' as a neutral tone.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'rate' suffix, but common in dense texts.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the stroke-heavy characters '普' and '率'.

Speaking 3/5

The 'ü' sound in 'lǜ' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Common in news; usually clearly enunciated.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

普及 (pǔjí) 比例 (bǐlì) 百分之 (bǎifēnzhī) 提高 (tígāo) 达到 (dádào)

Learn Next

渗透率 (shèntòulǜ) 覆盖率 (fùgàilǜ) 占有率 (zhànyǒulǜ) 统计学 (tǒngjìxué) 数字化 (shùzìhuà)

Advanced

边际效应 (biānjì xiàoyìng) 饱和度 (bǎohédù) 异质性 (yìzhìxìng) 结构性改革 (jiégòuxìng gǎigé)

Grammar to Know

Noun Suffix -率 (lǜ)

出生率 (birth rate), 失业率 (unemployment rate), 普及率 (penetration rate).

Verb-Object as Adjective

普及率高的地区 (Areas with high penetration rates).

Using 达到 (dádào) for numbers

普及率达到了80%。

Using 随着 (suízhe) for correlation

随着技术的进步，普及率也在提高。

Comparative with 比 (bǐ)

A城市的普及率比B城市高。

Examples by Level

这里的手机普及率很高。

The mobile phone penetration rate here is very high.

Simple Subject + Adjective structure.

电脑的普及率是多少？

What is the penetration rate of computers?

Using '是多少' to ask for a numerical rate.

这个地方普及率很低。

The penetration rate in this place is very low.

Using '低' (low) to describe the rate.

普及率在上升。

The penetration rate is rising.

Subject + '在' + Verb (ongoing action).

我们看普及率。

We look at the penetration rate.

Simple Verb + Object.

普及率是百分之五十。

The penetration rate is 50%.

Using '百分之' for percentages.

这里的电视普及率高吗？

Is the TV penetration rate high here?

Adding '吗' to form a yes/no question.

普及率不平衡。

The penetration rate is not balanced.

'不' used to negate the adjective '平衡'.

十年前，汽车的普及率并不高。

Ten years ago, the car penetration rate was not high.

Time phrase + '并不' (not at all) for emphasis.

农村的互联网普及率正在增加。

The internet penetration rate in rural areas is increasing.

Location + '的' + Subject + '正在' + Verb.

这种新产品的普及率很快。

The penetration rate of this new product is very fast.

Using '快' (fast) to describe the speed of the rate's growth.

政府想提高教育普及率。

The government wants to improve the education penetration rate.

Subject + '想' (want) + Verb + Object.

普及率是一个重要的数字。

Penetration rate is an important number.

Noun + '是' + Adjective + '的' + Noun.

城市的普及率比农村高。

The penetration rate in cities is higher than in rural areas.

Comparison using '比' (bǐ).

我们需要统计这个普及率。

We need to count/calculate this penetration rate.

'需要' (need) + Verb + Object.

普及率达到了一半。

The penetration rate has reached half.

Verb '达到' (reach) + '了' (completed action).

随着经济的发展，空调的普及率显著提高。

With economic development, the penetration rate of air conditioners has significantly improved.

'随着...的...，...' (With the... of..., ...) structure.

该地区的九年义务教育普及率已达100%。

The nine-year compulsory education penetration rate in this region has reached 100%.

Using '已达' as a formal abbreviation of '已经达到'.

智能手机的普及率改变了人们的生活方式。

The penetration rate of smartphones has changed people's lifestyles.

The noun phrase '普及率' acting as the subject.

我们要关注那些普及率较低的地区。

We need to pay attention to those areas with lower penetration rates.

'关注' (pay attention to) + Noun phrase.

这种技术的普及率在短时间内翻了一番。

The penetration rate of this technology doubled in a short period.

'翻了一番' (fān le yī fān) - doubled.

普及率的提高有助于缩小数字鸿沟。

The increase in the penetration rate helps narrow the digital divide.

Abstract subject + '有助于' (helps to/is conducive to).

虽然价格下降了，但普及率并没有提高。

Although the price dropped, the penetration rate did not improve.

'虽然...但...' (Although... but...) contrast.

统计普及率时，我们需要考虑人口基数。

When calculating the penetration rate, we need to consider the population base.

'...时' (when) used to set the context.

目前，中国移动支付的普及率位居世界前列。

Currently, the penetration rate of mobile payments in China ranks among the top in the world.

'位居...前列' (ranks among the top...).

新能源汽车普及率的提升，标志着环保意识的增强。

The rise in the penetration rate of new energy vehicles marks an increase in environmental awareness.

'标志着' (marks/signifies) used to show meaning.

我们要通过政策引导来进一步扩大宽带普及率。

We need to further expand broadband penetration through policy guidance.

'通过...来...' (By means of... to...).

尽管市场已经饱和，但高端产品的普及率仍在增长。

Despite market saturation, the penetration rate of high-end products is still growing.

'尽管...但...仍...' (Despite... but... still...).

该报告详细分析了不同年龄段的社交媒体普及率。

The report provides a detailed analysis of social media penetration rates across different age groups.

'详细分析了' (detailed analysis of).

普及率的差异反映了地区经济发展的不平衡。

Differences in penetration rates reflect the imbalance of regional economic development.

'反映了' (reflects) connecting two complex concepts.

为了确保普及率，我们必须降低服务的准入门槛。

To ensure the penetration rate, we must lower the entry threshold for the service.

'为了确保' (In order to ensure).

智能家居普及率的提高，带动了相关产业的发展。

The increase in smart home penetration has driven the development of related industries.

'带动了...的发展' (driven the development of...).

互联网普及率的跃升，为数字经济的腾飞奠定了坚实基础。

The leap in internet penetration has laid a solid foundation for the takeoff of the digital economy.

Formal vocabulary: '跃升' (leap), '腾飞' (takeoff), '奠定...基础' (lay foundation).

我们应当警惕普及率背后的虚假繁荣，关注实际使用频率。

We should be wary of the false prosperity behind penetration rates and focus on actual usage frequency.

'警惕...背后' (be wary of... behind).

普及率的统计偏差可能会误导政府的决策过程。

Statistical biases in penetration rates may mislead the government's decision-making process.

'统计偏差' (statistical bias) and '误导' (mislead).

该项技术的普及率在发达国家已接近上限，增长趋于平缓。

The penetration rate of this technology has approached its upper limit in developed countries, and growth is leveling off.

'趋于' (tends towards) + adjective.

普及率不再是唯一的衡量标准，服务质量同样至关重要。

Penetration rate is no longer the only metric; service quality is equally vital.

'不再是...同样至关重要' structure.

通过横向对比各国的普及率，我们可以发现产业发展的规律。

By horizontally comparing the penetration rates of various countries, we can discover the laws of industrial development.

'横向对比' (horizontal comparison).

普及率的提升往往伴随着生产成本的规模化降低。

An increase in penetration rate is often accompanied by a large-scale reduction in production costs.

'伴随着' (accompanied by).

在评估社会福利时，基本生活设施的普及率是核心指标。

When assessing social welfare, the penetration rate of basic living facilities is a core indicator.

'核心指标' (core indicator).

考察普及率的动态演变，有助于揭示技术扩散的内在逻辑。

Examining the dynamic evolution of penetration rates helps reveal the internal logic of technological diffusion.

Highly academic: '动态演变' (dynamic evolution), '技术扩散' (tech diffusion).

即便普及率达到饱和，存量市场的博弈依然异常激烈。

Even if the penetration rate reaches saturation, the competition in the existing market remains exceptionally fierce.

'即便...依然...' (Even if... still...).

普及率的异质性分布，凸显了不同阶层间的信息获取差异。

The heterogeneous distribution of penetration rates highlights the differences in information acquisition among different classes.

'异质性' (heterogeneity) and '凸显' (highlight).

若要实现真正的普惠金融，必须攻克偏远地区服务普及率低下的顽疾。

To achieve true inclusive finance, we must overcome the chronic problem of low service penetration in remote areas.

'若要...必须...' (If one wants to... one must...).

普及率的激增有时会掩盖深层次的社会适应性问题。

A surge in penetration rates can sometimes mask deep-seated social adaptability issues.

'掩盖' (mask/hide) and '深层次' (deep-seated).

深入剖析普及率的结构性特征，是制定精准产业政策的前提。

An in-depth analysis of the structural characteristics of penetration rates is a prerequisite for formulating precise industrial policies.

'深入剖析' (in-depth analysis) and '前提' (prerequisite).

普及率的边际增长率下降，预示着市场进入了成熟期。

A decline in the marginal growth rate of penetration indicates that the market has entered a mature phase.

'边际增长率' (marginal growth rate) and '预示着' (indicates/signals).

我们不能仅凭普及率的高低，就断言某一文明的先进程度。

We cannot assert the level of advancement of a civilization based solely on the height of its penetration rates.

'仅凭...就断言' (to assert based solely on...).

Synonyms

渗透率流行程度覆盖率

Common Collocations

提高普及率

达到普及率

统计普及率

普及率极高

普及率低下

市场普及率

互联网普及率

教育普及率

普及率饱和

普及率差异

Common Phrases

九年义务教育普及率

— The penetration rate of nine-year compulsory education. It is a key metric for basic education in China.

我国九年义务教育普及率已超过95%。

移动支付普及率

— The penetration rate of mobile payments. This is a common topic in modern Chinese economic discussions.

移动支付普及率的提高让生活更便利。

宽带普及率

— Broadband penetration rate. Used to describe internet infrastructure development.

城市宽带普及率已经非常高了。

家电普及率

— The penetration rate of household appliances. Used in historical or economic studies of living standards.

80年代，彩色电视机的家电普及率开始上升。

自来水普及率

— The penetration rate of tap water. A basic indicator of public health and infrastructure.

农村自来水普及率是乡村振兴的重要目标。

高等教育普及率

— The penetration rate of higher education. Reflects the academic level of the workforce.

随着扩招，高等教育普及率大幅提升。

疫苗接种普及率

— Vaccination coverage/penetration rate. Vital in public health discussions.

提高疫苗接种普及率能有效防止疾病传播。

新能源汽车普及率

— New energy vehicle penetration rate. A hot topic in the context of carbon neutrality.

新能源汽车普及率在各大城市迅速增长。

智能手机普及率

— Smartphone penetration rate. Often used as a proxy for digital literacy.

全球范围内的智能手机普及率都在提高。

基本养老保险普及率

— The penetration rate of basic pension insurance. A measure of social security.

政府致力于实现基本养老保险普及率全覆盖。

Often Confused With

普及率 vs 流行 (liúxíng)

流行 refers to something being trendy or culturally 'in,' while 普及率 is a statistical measure of ownership or access.

普及率 vs 渗透率 (shèntòulǜ)

渗透率 is more business-oriented (market penetration), while 普及率 is more general or social.

普及率 vs 覆盖率 (fùgàilǜ)

覆盖率 refers to geographical or signal reach, while 普及率 refers to individual or household adoption.

Idioms & Expressions

"家喻户晓"

— Known to every family and household. While not a direct synonym for 普及率, it describes a state where 普及率 is 100%.

这个品牌已经做到了家喻户晓。

Literary/Common

"司空见惯"

— A common sight; something one is used to. Used when something's 普及率 is so high it is no longer special.

现在手机支付在城市里已经司空见惯了。

Literary

"比比皆是"

— Can be found everywhere. Describes the physical manifestation of a high 普及率.

在上海，便利店比比皆是。

Literary

"普及众生"

— To spread to all living beings. Often used in religious or highly idealistic contexts.

佛法普及众生。

Formal/Religious

"深入人心"

— To enter deeply into people's hearts. Used for ideas or policies with a high 'psychological' 普及率.

环保理念已经深入人心。

Formal

"屡见不鲜"

— Nothing new; common. Used for events or phenomena that happen often because of high prevalence.

这种社会现象在发达国家屡见不鲜。

Literary

"广为流传"

— Widely spread. Often used for stories, rumors, or information.

这个故事在民间广为流传。

Neutral

"俯拾即是"

— So many that you can just pick them up from the ground. Used for abundance.

书中的优美词句俯拾即是。

Literary

"层出不穷"

— To emerge one after another. Used for new things appearing as a technology's 普及率 grows.

随着互联网普及，新应用层出不穷。

Formal

"蔚然成风"

— To become a common practice or trend. Used for positive social behaviors.

垃圾分类在社区里已经蔚然成风。

Formal

Easily Confused

普及率 vs 普及

One is a verb/adjective, the other is a noun.

普及 is the state or action of being common. 普及率 is the specific percentage/rate of that state.

这种技术已经普及了。 (Verb) / 这种技术的普及率是80%。 (Noun)

普及率 vs 出生率

Both end in 率.

出生率 is birth rate; 普及率 is penetration rate. They measure different social phenomena.

出生率下降是一个严重的问题。

普及率 vs 占有率

Both relate to how much of a market/population is covered.

占有率 (Market Share) usually refers to one company's portion of the users. 普及率 refers to the total percentage of the population using that type of product.

苹果手机的市场占有率很高。

普及率 vs 使用率

Both involve people using something.

使用率 measures how *often* or *much* something is used (utility). 普及率 measures how many people *have* it.

这间教室的使用率很低。

普及率 vs 增长率

Both are rates used in growth analysis.

增长率 is the speed of growth (e.g., 5% per year). 普及率 is the current total spread (e.g., 60% total).

普及率的增长率正在放缓。

Sentence Patterns

...的普及率很高/低。

智能手机的普及率很高。

随着...，...普及率不断提高。

随着经济发展，空调普及率不断提高。

政府的目标是提高...普及率。

政府的目标是提高教育普及率。

...普及率已达到百分之...。

互联网普及率已达到百分之七十。

...普及率的差异反映了...。

普及率的差异反映了经济的不平衡。

...为...普及率的跃升奠定了基础。

政策为新能源车普及率的跃升奠定了基础。

在统计...普及率时，应考虑...。

在统计普及率时，应考虑人口结构。

...普及率的动态演变揭示了...。

普及率的动态演变揭示了技术扩散的规律。

Word Family

Nouns

普及者 (pǔjízhe - popularizer)

普及度 (pǔjídù - degree of popularization)

Verbs

普及 (pǔjí - to popularize)

Adjectives

普及型 (pǔjíxíng - entry-level/popular model)

通俗普及 (tōngsú pǔjí - easily understood and popular)

百分比 (bǎifēnbǐ - percentage)

比例 (bǐlì - ratio)

增长 (zēngzhǎng - growth)

趋势 (qūshì - trend)

统计 (tǒngjì - statistics)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in formal media and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

普及率很流行 → 普及率很高
You can't describe a 'rate' as 'trendy.' You describe the 'rate' as 'high' or 'low.'
提高普及率的速度 → 提高普及速度
This is redundant. If you want to talk about how fast something is spreading, just say '普及速度.'
普及率了 → 普及了
普及率 is a noun. You cannot add '了' to it to show completed action. Use the verb '普及' instead.
手机普及率的人很多 → 手机普及率很高
普及率 already refers to the proportion of people. Saying 'people are many' after it is grammatically incorrect.
统计普及率的百分比 → 统计普及率
普及率 is already a percentage/rate. Adding '百分比' is redundant in Chinese.

Tips

Placement

Always place the noun you are measuring before '普及率'. Think of it as a single compound noun: [Tech/Service] + 普及率.

Suffix Power

Learning '率' (lǜ) as a suffix for 'rate' will unlock dozens of other words like 出生率 (birth rate) and 效率 (efficiency).

Development Metric

In China, high 普及率 is often equated with successful government policy. Mentioning it in a formal context shows you understand Chinese social priorities.

The 'Ü' Sound

To pronounce 'lǜ' correctly, make the 'ee' sound but round your lips. Don't let them relax into an 'oo' sound.

Formal Contexts

Use 普及率 in your essays to replace vague phrases like '很多地方都有.' It instantly elevates your writing style to a professional level.

News Keywords

When you hear '统计局' (Bureau of Statistics), listen closely for '普及率'—they are almost always used together in economic reports.

Market Saturation

If the 普及率 is near 100%, tell your 'boss' that the market is '饱和' (saturated) and you need a new strategy.

Digital Divide

Use '普及率差异' (difference in penetration rates) to talk about the gap between the rich and poor or urban and rural areas.

Etymology

Remember '普' (Universal) + '及' (Reach) + '率' (Rate). The rate of universal reach.

Authoritative Tone

When stating a fact about a country, using '普及率' makes you sound like an expert rather than just a tourist.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'PU' as 'Public,' 'JI' as 'Just reached,' and 'LU' as 'Level.' So, 普及率 is the 'Public-Just-reached-Level.'

Visual Association

Imagine a map of a country turning from grey to bright green as a signal spreads—the percentage of green is the 普及率.

Word Web

互联网普及率教育普及率提高普及率普及率达到普及率高普及率低市场普及率统计普及率

Challenge

Try to find a recent news article about '5G' or 'AI' in Chinese and see if you can spot the word 普及率. How is it being used—to praise progress or show a gap?

Word Origin

The word is a modern compound. '普' (pǔ) means 'universal' or 'general.' '及' (jí) means 'to reach' or 'attain.' '率' (lǜ) is the standard suffix for 'rate' or 'ratio.'

Original meaning: The concept of measuring 'universal reach' became prominent during China's modernization and planned economy phases, where measuring the spread of education and technology was paramount.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 普及率 in sensitive areas like human rights or minority regions, as data can sometimes be a point of political contention.

In English, we often use different words depending on the industry: 'penetration' for tech, 'literacy rate' for education, 'coverage' for insurance. Chinese often uses 普及率 for all of these.

China Statistical Yearbook (中国统计年鉴) - The primary source for these rates. The 'Digital China' initiative (数字中国). Government Work Reports (政府工作报告).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Technology News

5G普及率
智能设备普及率
技术扩散
飞速增长

Education Reports

义务教育普及率
入学率
教育公平
资源分配

Business Meetings

市场普及率
竞争对手
增长空间
用户基数

Environmental Policy

新能源普及率
减排目标
绿色出行
政策补贴

Public Health

疫苗普及率
医保覆盖
健康意识
社区服务

Conversation Starters

"你觉得在你的国家，电动汽车的普及率高吗？"

"为什么有些先进技术的普及率在农村比较低？"

"你认为智能手机普及率的提高对老人有什么影响？"

"在未来十年，你觉得哪种新技术的普及率会增长最快？"

"为了提高教育普及率，你觉得政府最应该做什么？"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你生活中普及率最高的三样东西，并解释它们为什么如此受欢迎。

如果某种新药的普及率很低，你认为主要原因可能是什么？

讨论一下互联网普及率的提高如何改变了你学习外语的方式。

对比一下你父母那个年代和你现在的家电普及率差异。

写一段关于提高新能源汽车普及率的建议书。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you don't use it to describe people themselves, but rather something people *have* or *use*. For example, you can't say 'the penetration rate of teachers is high,' but you can say 'the penetration rate of higher education among the population is high.'

In practice, yes. It is almost always expressed as a percentage (e.g., 75%) or a ratio, as '率' literally means rate or ratio.

普及率 is a precise statistical term (rate). 普及度 is a more general term for the 'degree of popularization,' which can be descriptive (e.g., 'very high') without necessarily citing a specific number.

It's a bit formal for a casual chat with friends. In a casual setting, you'd more likely say '现在到处都是...' (Now everywhere there are...) or '大家都用...' (Everyone uses...). Save 普及率 for discussions about trends or facts.

Technically yes, but it's rare. We usually use terms like '发病率' (incidence rate) for diseases or '犯罪率' (crime rate). 普及率 usually carries a neutral or slightly positive connotation of 'progress' or 'spread of technology/service.'

It is '互联网普及率' (hùliánwǎng pǔjí lǜ). This is one of the most common collocations for this word in modern China.

The most common verbs are 提高 (to raise), 提升 (to improve), 达到 (to reach), and 统计 (to count/statistically analyze).

No, it is a polyphone. When it means 'rate/ratio,' it is 'lǜ.' When it means 'to lead' or 'rash/hasty,' it is pronounced 'shuài' (e.g., 率领, 草率). In 普及率, it is always 'lǜ.'

The top is '丷' and '一' (like a wide sun/horizon), and the bottom is '日' (sun). Think of the sun shining on everything universally—that's 'universal/general' (普).

Yes, it typically appears in HSK 5 and HSK 6 materials, particularly in reading passages about science, technology, or social change.