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.
軍隊が前線へ進んだ。
The troops advanced to the front line.
車がゆっくり進んでいる。
The car is advancing slowly.
Specifically 'advance forward', often used for military or deliberate movement.
部隊は敵陣に向かって前進した。
The unit advanced toward the enemy position.
To advance into a new area, often for business or exploration.
企業が海外市場に進出した。
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.
料金を前払いしてください。
Please advance the fee.
To put forward a suggestion, theory, or argument.
To propose, suggest. General and safe.
新しい計画を提案した。
He advanced a new plan.
To assert, advocate. Stronger than 提案する.
To move a scheduled event to an earlier time.
Doing something ahead of time.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'in advance, beforehand'.
事前に連絡してください。
Please contact us in advance.
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.
軍隊は都市に向かって進んだ。
The army advanced toward the city.
技術が急速に進歩した。
Technology has advanced rapidly.
少しお金を立て替えてもらえますか？
Can you advance me some money?
計画は順調に進んでいる。
The plan is advancing smoothly.
交渉がなかなか進まない。
The negotiations are not advancing easily.
To develop, make headway. Often used for situations, relationships, or projects.
事態が急速に進展した。
The situation advanced rapidly.
Can be used metaphorically for progress, but less common than 進む.
改革が一歩前進した。
The reform advanced one step.
彼は部長に昇進した。
He advanced to department manager.
To make progress, advance (technology, society, personal growth).
医学は大きく進歩した。
Medicine has advanced greatly.
To pay for someone temporarily, expecting repayment.
私が立て替えておきます。
I'll advance the money for now.
To lend money in advance, e.g., against future salary.
給料の前貸しを頼んだ。
I asked for an advance on my salary.
彼は自説を主張した。
He advanced his own theory.
To bring forward, make earlier. Transitive.
会議の時間を早めましょう。
Let's advance the meeting time.
To move up (a schedule). Often used for deadlines or events.
締め切りを繰り上げた。
They advanced the deadline.
Adverb meaning 'beforehand, in advance'. Slightly more formal than 事前に.
あらかじめ準備しておく。
Prepare in advance.
Adverb meaning 'in advance, beforehand'. Common in spoken Japanese.
前もって言ってください。
Please tell me in advance.