進める

The Japanese verb 進める (susumeru) is a fundamental transitive verb that primarily means 'to advance,' 'to move something forward,' or 'to promote.' At its core, it describes an action where an agent actively pushes a process, an object, or a situation toward a further point or a higher state. Unlike its intransitive counterpart 進む (susumu), which describes something moving forward on its own, 進める requires a direct object—the thing being moved or progressed. This distinction is vital for Japanese learners because it dictates the grammatical structure of your sentences, typically following the [Object] を 進める pattern.

Physical Movement

In a literal sense, it is used when physically moving an object forward. For example, moving a piece on a game board like Shogi or Chess, or pushing a car forward manually. It implies a deliberate, controlled movement from point A to point B.

Abstract Progress

Most commonly, you will encounter this word in the context of projects, plans, or discussions. When a manager says they are 'advancing the project,' they use 進める. It suggests overcoming obstacles or simply taking the next necessary steps to ensure completion.

Time Adjustment

A specific but very common usage is with clocks. If your watch is slow and you need to set it forward by five minutes, you 'advance' the hands of the clock using this verb.

In business settings, 進める is ubiquitous. It appears in phrases like 商談を進める (to proceed with business negotiations) or 計画を具体的に進める (to move forward with a plan concretely). It carries a nuance of productivity and proactiveness. If you are 'advancing' something, you are the one in the driver's seat. This makes it a very positive and action-oriented word in professional Japanese culture.

Furthermore, 進める can be used in academic or learning contexts. A teacher might 'advance' the lesson to the next chapter (授業を次の章に進める), or a student might 'advance' their studies during the summer break. It implies a transition from a current state to a more advanced or subsequent state. In creative writing, it can refer to 'advancing' a plot or a story arc. The versatility of this verb makes it an essential building block for any student reaching the A2 level and beyond.

Social Context

When discussing social issues or reforms, 進める is used to describe the promotion of policies or the advancement of social movements. It implies a systematic effort to bring about change.

In summary, 進める is the engine of action in Japanese. Whether you are moving a physical object, managing a timeline, or facilitating a discussion, this verb provides the necessary transitive force to describe progress. Its frequency in both daily life and professional environments cannot be overstated, making it a high-priority word for mastery.

Using 進める (susumeru) correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature and its common collocations. Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes the particle を (o) to mark the object that is being advanced. The structure is usually [Subject] が [Object] を [Direction/Method] 進める. Understanding the nuances of what can be 'advanced' will help you sound more natural in Japanese.

Work and Projects

This is perhaps the most frequent use case. You 'advance' work (仕事を進める), 'advance' a project (プロジェクトを進める), or 'advance' a plan (計画を進める). It implies that you are actively working on it to reach the next milestone.

Communication and Meetings

When a discussion is stuck, you might say 「話を先に進めましょう」 (Let's move the conversation forward). This is a polite way to suggest moving to the next topic or reaching a conclusion.

The verb can also be modified by adverbs to describe how something is being advanced. Common adverbs include どんどん (rapidly/steadily), 着実に (steadily/surely), and 具体的に (concretely). For example, 「計画を着実に進める」 means to move a plan forward steadily and reliably. This adds a layer of description to the action, showing the speaker's confidence or the pace of the work.

In more formal or technical contexts, 進める is often used in the passive voice to indicate that something is being advanced by an external force or organization. 「研究が進められている」 (Research is being advanced/carried out). This shifts the focus from the person doing the work to the work itself, which is common in news reporting and academic papers.

Setting the Pace

You can also use 進める to describe controlling the speed of something. 「自分のペースで勉強を進める」 (To advance one's studies at one's own pace). This emphasizes the autonomy of the learner.

Finally, consider the use of 進める in compound situations. While it is a strong verb on its own, it often pairs with nouns that represent a process. 手続きを進める (to proceed with procedures/paperwork) is a very common phrase you will hear at government offices or banks. By mastering these patterns, you can use 進める to describe almost any proactive effort to achieve a goal.

Whether you are a student describing your study habits or a professional managing a team, 進める provides the linguistic tools to express progress and agency. Its consistent grammar and logical application across various domains make it one of the most useful verbs in the Japanese language.

The word 進める (susumeru) is deeply embedded in the daily life and professional landscape of Japan. If you spend time in a Japanese office, a classroom, or even just watching the evening news, you will hear this verb repeatedly. Its presence signifies a culture that values progress, planning, and the active management of tasks.

In the Office (Business Japanese)

In a Japanese workplace, 'susumeru' is the heartbeat of project management. During morning meetings (朝礼 - chōrei), you might hear a colleague say, 「今日の午後は、資料の作成を進めます」 (This afternoon, I will move forward with creating the documents). It’s used to give status updates and commit to future actions. It sounds professional and decisive.

In Education and Schools

Teachers use it to guide students through a curriculum. 「教科書を10ページまで進めましょう」 (Let's advance the textbook to page 10). It sets the pace for the class. Students also use it when talking about their entrance exam preparations or club activities, indicating they are making headway in their goals.

On the news, 進める is the standard verb for reporting on government policies, international negotiations, and scientific breakthroughs. When NHK reports on a new law, they often use the phrase 「議論を進める」 (to advance the discussion/debate). It conveys a sense of official movement. Similarly, in sports commentary, a commentator might say a team is 「攻撃を進める」 (advancing the attack), describing the physical progression toward the opponent's goal.

In daily life, you might hear it at a doctor's office or a bank. A clerk might say, 「お手続きを進めますので、こちらでお待ちください」 (I will proceed with the procedures, so please wait here). Here, it functions as a polite way to explain that they are working on your request. It provides a sense of reassurance that things are moving as they should.

Entertainment and Games

In video games, particularly RPGs or strategy games, you 'advance' the story (ストーリーを進める) or 'advance' your character's level. This usage is very common among younger generations and hobbyists.

Even in casual conversations among friends, 進める pops up when planning a trip or an event. 「旅行の計画、どこまで進めた？」 (How far have you moved the trip planning along?). It’s a natural way to check on the status of shared goals. Its broad range of formality—from polite customer service to casual banter—makes it a truly versatile tool for any Japanese speaker.

Ultimately, 進める is a word of momentum. Whether it's the gears of a clock, the pages of a book, or the complex negotiations of international diplomacy, this verb is the linguistic engine that describes how things get from where they are to where they need to be. Paying attention to its usage in these various contexts will significantly enhance your listening comprehension and cultural fluency.

Learning 進める (susumeru) involves navigating a few linguistic pitfalls. Because Japanese has several words that sound identical or look similar, and because the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs is so strict, beginners and intermediate learners often make specific types of errors. Understanding these common mistakes is the first step toward avoiding them.

Confusing with 進む (susumu)

This is the most frequent error. 進む is intransitive (something moves forward), while 進める is transitive (someone moves something forward). A common mistake is saying 「仕事が進める」 (incorrect) instead of 「仕事が進む」 (the work progresses) or 「仕事を進める」 (I progress the work). Remember: を goes with 進める, and が usually goes with 進む.

Homophone Confusion: 勧める vs 薦める

All three are pronounced susumeru. 進める means to advance. 勧める means to recommend an action (like 'I recommend you try this'). 薦める means to recommend a person or thing (like 'I recommend this book'). Using the wrong kanji in writing is a very common mistake even for advanced learners.

Another mistake involves the nuance of 'promotion.' In English, 'promote' can mean to advance a project, but it can also mean to promote an employee to a higher rank. In Japanese, 進める is rarely used for promoting people in a company. For that, you would use 昇進させる (shōshin saseru). If you say 「彼を進める」, a Japanese person might think you are physically pushing him forward or perhaps recommending him (if they assume the other susumeru), but they won't think of a job promotion.

Learners also sometimes over-use 進める when やる (yaru) or する (suru) would be more natural. While 進める is great for 'advancing' a task, if you are just 'doing' a simple task, 進める might sound a bit too formal or dramatic. For example, if you are just doing your daily chores, 「家事を進める」 sounds like you are managing a household operation, whereas 「家事をする」 is the normal way to say you're doing chores.

Misusing with People

Using 進める with a person as the object (人を進める) is very rare and usually limited to physical movement (like pushing someone forward in a line). It does not mean to 'help someone advance' in life; for that, you would use 後押しする (atooshi suru) or 支援する (shien suru).

Finally, watch out for the potential form 進められる. Because it can mean both 'can advance' (potential) and 'is advanced' (passive), the context is crucial. In the passive, it often implies that a project is being pushed forward by a large organization or authority. If you use it incorrectly, you might accidentally imply that you were forced to move forward or that you lack control over the process.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the transitive/intransitive balance and the kanji homophones—you will avoid the most common errors and use 進める with the precision of a native speaker.

While 進める (susumeru) is a highly versatile verb, Japanese offers several other words that can express similar ideas of progress, promotion, or advancement. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality, the specific context, and the nuance you wish to convey. Here is a breakdown of how 進める compares to its closest relatives.

推進する (Suishin suru)

This is a more formal, academic, or business-oriented version of 進める. While 進める can be used for moving a clock or a game piece, 推進する is strictly for abstract concepts like policies, projects, or movements. It carries a strong nuance of 'driving' or 'propelling' something forward with significant effort. Example: 「DXを推進する」 (To promote/drive Digital Transformation).

進行させる (Shinkō saseru)

This literally means 'to cause to progress.' It is often used in the context of events, ceremonies, or medical conditions. For example, a moderator 'progresses' a meeting (会議を進行させる), or a disease might 'progress' (though usually 進行する is used there). It feels more like managing the flow of time or steps in a sequence.

Another interesting alternative is はかどらせる (hakadoraseru). This specifically means to make work or a task go smoothly and quickly. While 進める just means 'to advance,' はかどらせる emphasizes efficiency and speed. If you say 「勉強を進める」, you are just studying. If you say 「勉強をはかどらせる」, you are implying that you are getting a lot done very quickly.

In the context of 'promoting' an idea or a product, you might also consider 広める (hiromeru) (to spread/popularize) or 宣伝する (senden suru) (to advertise/publicize). While 進める focuses on the internal progress of a project, these words focus on the external awareness of it. For example, if you are 'advancing' a new product launch (新製品の発売を進める), you are doing the background work. If you are 'promoting' it to the public, you would use 宣伝する.

促す (Unagasu)

This means to 'urge' or 'stimulate' progress. It’s used when you want to encourage someone else to move forward or when a certain condition stimulates a reaction. It’s less about you doing the work and more about you triggering the progress.

Finally, let's look at 進展させる (shinten saseru). This is a very formal way to say 'to cause a development' in a situation, often used in legal or diplomatic contexts. It implies a significant change in the state of affairs, not just a small step forward. If a detective finds a new clue, they might 進展させる the investigation.

By understanding these alternatives, you gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of Japanese. While 進める is your reliable workhorse, knowing when to use 推進する or はかどらせる will make your Japanese sound more precise and sophisticated.