The word 进步 is formed by combining two characters: 进 (jìn), which means "to advance" or "to move forward", and 步 (bù), which means "step" or "pace". Conceptually, they are brought together not merely as separate ideas but to create a unified metaphor: the act of moving forward step-by-step. This fusion directly visualizes the process of gradual, forward-moving development, ultimately representing the abstract concept of "progress" or "improvement".