Translation and Meaning of: 進める - susumeru

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 進める (すすめる). It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal texts, and understanding its meaning and use can greatly enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is used in daily Japanese life, and some tips for memorizing it effectively.

In addition to being a versatile verb, 進める carries interesting cultural nuances, reflecting values such as progress and decision. Whether to advance in a project, promote an idea, or simply move forward, this word plays an important role in communication. Let's dive into the details so you can use it with confidence.

Meaning and usage of 進める

The verb 進める (すすめる) has as its main meaning "to advance," "to progress," or "to promote." It is often used in situations that involve moving forward, whether physical or abstract. For example, it can be employed to speak about advancing in a task, speeding up a process, or even recommending something insistently.

In the workplace, it's common to hear phrases like プロジェクトを進める (purojekuto o susumeru), which means "to move the project forward." In more personal contexts, it might appear in expressions like 話を進める (hanashi o susumeru), indicating that a conversation is progressing. This flexibility makes the word essential for those who want to communicate naturally in Japanese.

Origin and components of kanji

The kanji 進 is composed of two main elements: the radical 辶 (しんにょう), which is related to movement, and the part 隹 (ふるとり), which represents an ancient bird. Together, they convey the idea of advancing or moving forward, like a bird in flight. This combination helps to understand why the verb is associated with progress and development.

It is worth noting that 進める can also be written simply in hiragana (すすめる) in informal texts, but the kanji is widely used in formal and literary writing. Knowing its structure not only facilitates memorization but also allows associating the meaning with the mental image of movement, making learning more intuitive.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 進める is to associate it with everyday situations where there is progress. For example, think of a line that is moving forward or a plan that is being put into action. Repeating sentences like 計画を進めましょう (keikaku o susumemashou) – "let's advance with the plan" – out loud also helps to memorize the pronunciation and context of use.

Another tip is to pay attention to dialogues in dramas or animes, where the word appears frequently. Series that depict corporate or team environments, like "Shirokuma Café" or "Hataraki Man", often provide clear examples of how 進める is applied in natural speech. The more you expose yourself to real usages, the easier it will be to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 進む (susumu) - Advance, move forward
• 進化する (shinka suru) - Evolve, develop
• 進展する (shinten suru) - Progress, advance in a specific context
• 進歩する (shinpo suru) - Improve, make progress
• 進行する (shinkou suru) - Proceed, continue in a process
• 進めさせる (susumesaseru) - Make someone advance, allow someone to proceed.
• 進める (susumeru) - Advance something, recommend or encourage something.
• 進めよう (susume you) - Let's move forward, an invitation to progress.
• 進められる (susumerareru) - Be able to move forward, receive the recommendation to proceed
• 進めろ (susume ro) - Advance!
• 進めるべき (susumeru beki) - Should move forward, a strong recommendation to proceed
• 進めるように (susumeru you ni) - In order to move forward, with the intention of advancing
• 進めること (susumeru koto) - The action of advancing
• 進めるために (susumeru tame ni) - To move forward, aiming for progress
• 進めるのが (susumeru no ga) - The act of advancing is...
• 進めるのに (susumeru no ni) - To move forward, with the intention of going on
• 進めるのは (susumeru no wa) - What it means to advance is...
• 進めるのを (susumeru no wo) - The act of advancing (as an object)
• 進めるのだ (susumeru no da) - It's that I move forward, a statement
• 進めるのか (susumeru no ka) - If we're moving forward, one question.
• 進めるので (susumeru no de) - Once you move forward, justification for progress
• 進めるのです (susumeru no desu) - Explanation that involves progressing
• 進めるのだろう (susumeru no darou) - Probably advance, assumption about the advance
• 進めるのでしょう (susumeru no deshou) - Probably advancing, an educated guess
• 進めるのかもしれない (susumeru no kamoshirenai) - It may be possible to advance, an uncertainty about progress

進める

Romaji: susumeru
Kana: すすめる
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: advance; promote; accelerate

Meaning in English: to advance;to promote;to hasten

Definition: Move forward. To proceed.

Example Sentences - (進める) susumeru

See below some example sentences:

学説に基づいて研究を進める。

Gakusetsu ni motozuite kenkyuu wo susumeru

Proceed with research based on academic theory.

Provide theory-based research.

• 学説 - academic theory
• に - particle indicating the target or object of the action
• 基づいて - based on
• 研究 - research, study
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 進める - Move forward, progress

私たちは一緒に進める。

Watashitachi wa issho ni susumeru

We will move forward together.

We continue together.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 一緒に - "Juntos" in Japanese is "一緒に" (issho ni).
• 進める - 「進む」