Translation guide
The English verb 'promote' covers several distinct meanings: advancing someone in rank, advertising a product, encouraging a cause, and helping something develop. Japanese uses different words for each.
To give someone a higher position or rank, especially in a job or organization.
The most common and neutral way to say 'promote' in a workplace context. Used for formal promotions.
He was promoted to department manager.
Similar to 昇進 but often used for rank or status upgrades, not just job titles. Can be used in sports or organizations.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to rise in the world' or 'to succeed in one's career'. Often implies climbing the corporate ladder.
He rose to success at a young age.
To make people aware of a product, service, or event through advertising or publicity.
General term for promoting through advertising or publicity. Can be used for products, events, or ideas.
To actively support or encourage the acceptance or development of an idea, cause, or activity.
Means 'to promote' in the sense of pushing forward a policy, plan, or movement. Often used in formal or organizational contexts.
To contribute to the progress or growth of something, such as health, understanding, or a quality.
Commonly used for promoting health, welfare, or mutual understanding. Often appears in set phrases like 健康増進 (health promotion).
Both mean 'promote' in the sense of pushing something forward. 推進 is used for actively driving a policy or initiative, while 促進 focuses on accelerating an existing process or trend. 経済成長を促進する (promote economic growth) is natural, but 経済成長を推進する sounds like you are directly implementing growth, which is less common.
When talking about promoting oneself (e.g., on social media), Japanese does not use 宣伝する for personal branding in the same way. Instead, use 自己アピールする (self-appeal) or 自分を売り込む (sell oneself). Saying 自分を宣伝する can sound overly commercial or strange.
She was promoted to manager.
She was promoted from the second team to the first team.
They aired a TV commercial to promote the new product.
Short for 販売促進 (sales promotion). Focuses on activities that directly boost sales, like discounts or campaigns.
This event was planned to promote sales of the new product.
Loanword from English. Often used in marketing contexts, especially for promotional campaigns.
She toured the country to promote her new song.
The government is promoting the use of renewable energy.
Focuses on accelerating or stimulating growth, development, or progress. Often used for economic or social phenomena.
This policy will promote economic growth.
Often has a negative connotation, meaning to encourage or foster something undesirable, like bad habits or corruption.
Overprotection does not promote independence in children.
Exercise promotes health.
Means to nurture, foster, or cultivate. Used for developing talent, skills, or human resources.
The company is focusing on promoting the development of young employees.
They are promoting the new movie heavily.
The organization promotes peace.