Translation guide
Ways to express the idea of promoting something, such as a product, event, cause, or person, in Japanese. The best choice depends on what is being promoted and the context.
To make a product, service, or event more widely known and encourage people to buy or attend.
The most common and general verb for promoting something through advertising or publicity. Can be used for products, events, ideas, etc.
新製品を宣伝するために、テレビCMを作った。
We made a TV commercial to promote the new product.
彼は自分の本をSNSで宣伝している。
He is promoting his book on social media.
A loanword from English, often used in business and marketing contexts. Slightly more formal or technical than 宣伝する.
このイベントをプロモーションするために、ポスターを作成した。
We created posters to promote this event.
Literally 'to sell hard' or 'to push sales'. Implies aggressive promotion or marketing efforts. Can also mean to pitch an idea or oneself.
営業チームが新商品を売り込んでいる。
The sales team is aggressively promoting the new product.
To raise someone to a higher position or rank, such as in a job or school.
The standard verb for promoting an employee to a higher position. The causative form of 昇進する (to be promoted).
上司は彼を部長に昇進させた。
The boss promoted him to department manager.
To help someone advance in their career or social status. Often used in a broader sense than just a single promotion. Can imply success in life.
あの上司は部下を出世させるのが上手だ。
That boss is good at promoting his subordinates.
To raise someone's rank or status, often in a formal or organizational context. Similar to 昇進させる but can also apply to non-corporate hierarchies.
彼は功績が認められて、上級職に昇格させられた。
He was promoted to a senior position in recognition of his achievements.
To actively support or encourage a particular cause, policy, or way of thinking.
To promote or advance a policy, plan, or movement. Often used in formal or organizational contexts.
政府は再生可能エネルギーの利用を推進している。
The government is promoting the use of renewable energy.
To promote or accelerate something, often used for economic growth, trade, or social change. Focuses on speeding up or facilitating progress.
この協定は両国間の貿易を促進するだろう。
This agreement will promote trade between the two countries.
To advocate or promote an idea or principle, often with a sense of moral or ideological commitment. More literary.
彼は生涯を通じて平和主義を唱道した。
He promoted pacifism throughout his life.
To encourage or help something positive to develop or improve, such as health, understanding, or growth.
Specifically used for promoting health, welfare, or happiness. Often seen in set phrases like 健康増進 (health promotion).
このサプリメントは健康を増進すると言われている。
This supplement is said to promote health.
To promote or foster something, but often with a negative connotation (e.g., promoting bad habits, inflation). Use with caution.
Often implies promoting something undesirable. Not for positive promotion.
その政策はインフレを助長する恐れがある。
That policy may promote inflation.
宣伝する is about advertising and making something known to the public, while 推進する is about actively advancing a plan, policy, or movement. Use 宣伝する for marketing and 推進する for advocacy or organizational initiatives.
When talking about promoting an employee, do not use 宣伝する or プロモーションする. Those are for marketing. Use 昇進させる or 出世させる instead.
彼を課長に昇進させた。
He was promoted to section chief.