Translation guide
The English word 'advance' covers many meanings: moving forward, progressing, improving, paying before due, and more. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by meaning.
To go forward in space, such as troops, a vehicle, or a person stepping ahead.
General verb for moving forward, advancing. Intransitive.
The troops advanced to the front line.
The car is advancing slowly.
Specifically 'advance forward', often used for military or deliberate movement.
The unit advanced toward the enemy position.
To advance into a new area, often for business or exploration.
The company advanced into overseas markets.
To move forward in a process, project, career, or situation.
Also used for abstract progress. Intransitive.
To improve, get promoted, or move to a higher level.
To pay money before it is due, or lend money.
To pay in advance. Noun: 前払い.
To put forward a suggestion, theory, or argument.
To propose, suggest. General and safe.
To move a scheduled event to an earlier time.
Doing something ahead of time.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'in advance, beforehand'.
The verb 進む only means physical or abstract progress. For advancing money, use 前払いする or 立て替える.
All mean 'in advance'. 事前に is neutral and common. あらかじめ is slightly more formal/written. 前もって is casual and often used in requests.
The army advanced toward the city.
The plan is advancing smoothly.
The negotiations are not advancing easily.
To develop, make headway. Often used for situations, relationships, or projects.
The situation advanced rapidly.
Can be used metaphorically for progress, but less common than 進む.
The reform advanced one step.
My Japanese has advanced.
To get promoted in a job.
He advanced to department manager.
To make progress, advance (technology, society, personal growth).
Medicine has advanced greatly.
Please advance the fee.
To pay for someone temporarily, expecting repayment.
I'll advance the money for now.
To lend money in advance, e.g., against future salary.
I asked for an advance on my salary.
He advanced a new plan.
To assert, advocate. Stronger than 提案する.
He advanced his own theory.
To bring forward, make earlier. Transitive.
Let's advance the meeting time.
To move up (a schedule). Often used for deadlines or events.
They advanced the deadline.
Please contact us in advance.
Adverb meaning 'beforehand, in advance'. Slightly more formal than 事前に.
Prepare in advance.
Adverb meaning 'in advance, beforehand'. Common in spoken Japanese.
Please tell me in advance.
Technology has advanced rapidly.
Can you advance me some money?