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.
We made a TV commercial to promote the new product.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
To advocate or promote an idea or principle, often with a sense of moral or ideological commitment. More literary.
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).
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.
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.
He was promoted to section chief.
That boss is good at promoting his subordinates.
He was promoted to a senior position in recognition of his achievements.
This agreement will promote trade between the two countries.
He promoted pacifism throughout his life.
That policy may promote inflation.