出世する

§ What 出世する Means

Japanese Word

出世する (shusse suru)

Type

Verb

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

To get ahead or succeed in one's career; to be promoted; to make a name for oneself in one's work.

出世する (shusse suru) is a verb that means to advance in your career or to achieve success professionally. It's often used when talking about promotions, moving up the corporate ladder, or generally making significant progress in one's working life. Think of it as 'getting ahead' or 'making a career for oneself.' This isn't just about getting a raise; it's about gaining a higher position, more responsibility, or greater recognition within your field or company.

The word combines two kanji: 出 (shusse), meaning 'to go out' or 'to emerge,' and 世 (sei/yo), meaning 'world' or 'society.' When combined, they form 出世 (shusse), which refers to rising in the world or achieving success. The する (suru) turns it into a verb, making it 'to do success' or 'to succeed.'

§ When to Use 出世する

You'll hear and use 出世する in various contexts related to professional life. It's a common topic of conversation among friends, family, and colleagues, especially when discussing aspirations, career changes, or promotions. Here are some situations:

• When someone gets a promotion to a higher position.
• When discussing career goals or ambitions.
• When congratulating someone on their professional achievements.
• When talking about someone who has made a significant impact in their industry.

It carries a generally positive connotation, implying hard work, dedication, and positive outcomes in one's professional journey. However, it can also be used in a more neutral way, simply stating a fact about someone's career progression.

§ Examples in Context

Hint

He worked hard and got ahead quickly.

Hint

I hope to succeed in my career in the future.

Hint

Her career success is everyone's goal.

Hint

Even though he is young, he has been promoted to department manager.

§ Understanding 出世する (shusse suru)

Alright, let's break down 出世する (しゅっせする, shusse suru). This verb is essential for talking about career advancement in Japanese. It means 'to get ahead,' 'to succeed in one's career,' or 'to be promoted.' It's not just about getting a raise, but really about moving up the ladder and achieving success in your professional life.

The 'する' (suru) part means it's a ' する-verb' (also known as a verbal noun + する), which makes it super flexible. You can use 出世 as a noun meaning 'career success' or 'promotion,' and then add する to make it a verb.

§ Basic Sentence Structure with 出世する

The most common way to use 出世する is with a subject (the person who is getting ahead) and sometimes a particle indicating the direction or area of success. Let's look at some examples.

Hint

He got ahead in the company.

Hint

She hopes to succeed in her career in the future.

§ Using particles with 出世する

While you can use it simply, sometimes you want to be more specific about the context of their career advancement. Here are some common particles you might see:

• で (de): As seen above, this particle indicates the place or organization where one achieves career success.

  彼はこの業界で出世しました。

  Hint

  He got ahead in this industry.

• として (toshite): This particle means 'as' or 'in the capacity of.' While not directly used with 出世する to describe the act of getting ahead, you might see it describing the *role* after someone has 出世した (gotten ahead).

  彼は部長として出世しました。

  Hint

  He was promoted as a department manager. (Implying he got ahead *to* become a department manager.)

§ Nuances and Common Expressions

出世する carries a positive connotation of hard work paying off. It's often used when talking about someone's personal journey or achievements.

DEFINITION

To get ahead or succeed in one's career.

You might hear or say phrases like:

• 出世欲 (shusse yoku): ambition to succeed in one's career.

  彼は出世欲が強い。

  Hint

  He has strong career ambitions.

• 出世街道 (shusse kaidou): the road to success (in one's career).

  彼は出世街道を歩んでいる。

  Hint

  He's on the path to career success.

Remember, while 出世する often implies promotions, it's a broader term for overall career advancement and success. If you want to specifically talk about a promotion to a new position, you might use 昇進する (しょうしんする, shoushin suru).

§ Don't confuse with general success

Many learners mistakenly use 出世する for any kind of success. However, it specifically refers to career advancement or climbing the corporate ladder. If you want to talk about general success, like succeeding in a project or achieving a goal, other words are more appropriate. For example, 成功する (seikō suru) is a much broader term for success.

Using 出世する in this context would sound unnatural because succeeding in a project doesn't always mean you've been promoted or moved up in your career.

§ Incorrect particles

Another common mistake is using the wrong particles with 出世する. While it's a verb, it often takes specific particles depending on what you want to express. When referring to someone who has gotten ahead, you might use が (ga) or は (wa) to mark the subject.

Don't try to use を (o) to mark a direct object that 出世する 'acts upon,' because it's an intransitive verb in this context – it describes a state or action of the subject itself.

§ Overuse in informal settings

While 出世する is a perfectly valid word, it carries a somewhat formal and serious tone. In very casual conversations about career aspirations, you might hear more informal expressions, although 出世する is still broadly understood. It's more commonly heard in discussions about promotions, career paths, and corporate life.

§ Assuming it's always positive

While getting ahead in one's career is generally seen as positive, it's important to remember that the act of 出世する itself is neutral. The implications (good or bad) come from the context. For example, someone might 出世する by stepping on others, which isn't positive. Or, it could lead to increased stress and workload.

DEFINITION

It describes career advancement, without inherently attaching a positive or negative judgment to it. The judgment comes from the surrounding circumstances or speaker's opinion.

Therefore, avoid assuming that because someone 出世した, they are necessarily happier or a 'better' person. It simply means they've moved up professionally.

§ Not understanding related terms

To fully grasp 出世する, it helps to know related vocabulary. Not understanding these can lead to misunderstandings:

• 昇進 (shōshin): This specifically means 'promotion.' While promotion is a form of 出世, 出世 can also imply gaining more influence or a better position without a formal promotion to a higher title.

• キャリアアップ (kyaria appu): This is a loanword from English, meaning 'career up' or 'career advancement.' It's a more modern and sometimes broader term, often used in casual conversation and recruitment.

• 栄転 (eiten): This refers to an advantageous transfer or promotion, implying a move to a better position or location within the same company or group. It specifically carries a positive connotation.

Understanding these nuances will help you use 出世する more accurately and appropriately in various situations.