Translation guide
Expresses physical movement ahead, progress in a process, or advancing a plan or schedule. Japanese uses different verbs depending on whether the movement is physical, metaphorical, or involves bringing something forward in time.
To physically move forward, such as walking, driving, or stepping ahead.
General phrase for moving forward physically. Can be used for walking, vehicles, etc.
車がゆっくり前に進んだ。
The car slowly moved forward.
Please take one step forward.
More formal or technical term for advancing forward, often used for troops, vehicles, or in formal contexts.
部隊は敵陣に向かって前進した。
The troops advanced toward the enemy lines.
Simple verb for moving forward or progressing. Can be used alone when direction is clear from context.
まっすぐ進んでください。
Please go straight ahead.
To make progress or move forward with work, studies, or a plan.
Transitive verb meaning to advance or move something forward. Used for projects, plans, work.
プロジェクトを進めましょう。
Let's move the project forward.
仕事を早く進めてください。
Please move the work forward quickly.
Intransitive verb for progress happening on its own. Used when the subject is the task itself.
Causative form of 前進する, meaning to cause something to advance. Formal and less common in daily speech.
改革を前進させる必要がある。
We need to move the reforms forward.
To reschedule something to an earlier date or time.
Common business term for moving a deadline or schedule earlier.
会議を1週間前倒ししましょう。
Let's move the meeting forward by one week.
General verb meaning to make something earlier or faster. Can be used for schedules.
出発時間を30分早めます。
We'll move the departure time forward by 30 minutes.
To move something up in order or schedule. Often used for events or payments.
To physically advance in a waiting line.
Common phrase used when asking people to move forward in a line to make space.
もう少し前にお詰めください。
Please move forward a little more.
Simple verb used when the line itself is moving forward.
列が少し進んだ。
The line moved forward a little.
進む (susumu) is intransitive: something moves forward by itself. 進める (susumeru) is transitive: someone moves something forward. Use 進む for 'the project is progressing' and 進める for 'I am advancing the project'.
Avoid directly translating 'move forward' as 動く前に (ugoku mae ni) or similar. That would mean 'before moving' and is incorrect. Use the appropriate verb based on context.
The plan is moving forward smoothly.
支払いを繰り上げてください。
Please move the payment forward.