Translation guide
The English word "promotion" covers several distinct concepts: advancing in a job, marketing and sales activities, and supporting a cause or event. Each meaning uses different Japanese words and patterns.
Getting a higher position or rank at work
I got a promotion. · She's up for promotion. · He was promoted to manager.
The standard term for a promotion in a company or organization. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'get promoted'.
彼は部長に昇進した。
He was promoted to department manager.
昇進のチャンスを逃した。
I missed the chance for a promotion.
Similar to 昇進 but often implies a raise in rank or status, sometimes used in sports or official rankings.
彼は課長から部長に昇格した。
He was promoted from section chief to department manager.
Means 'to succeed in one's career' or 'rise in the world'. More about overall career advancement than a single promotion.
彼は若くして出世した。
He rose to success at a young age.
Activities to advertise and sell a product or service
The store is having a promotion. · We need more promotion for the event. · Promotional materials
The formal business term for sales promotion. Often abbreviated to 販促 (はんそく) in business contexts.
新製品の販売促進キャンペーンを実施した。
We ran a sales promotion campaign for the new product.
General term for advertising or publicity. Can be used for promoting products, events, or ideas.
Encouraging or helping something to develop or succeed
the promotion of healthy eating · promoting world peace · promotion of the arts
Means 'promotion' in the sense of advancing a policy, plan, or cause. Often used in government or organizational contexts.
政府は再生可能エネルギーの推進に力を入れている。
The government is focusing on the promotion of renewable energy.
Similar to 推進 but often implies accelerating or stimulating growth. Used for economic growth, trade, health, etc.
Used for promoting industry, culture, or regional development. Common in names of government agencies.
Moving up to a higher division in sports
The team won promotion to the Premier League. · promotion and relegation
Used when a team moves up to a higher league or division. The opposite is 降格 (demotion).
チームはJ1に昇格した。
The team was promoted to J1.
Used in martial arts or ranking systems for moving up a grade or class.
昇進 is the most common for a job promotion. 昇格 can also be used for job promotions but is more formal and often implies a change in rank or title. 出世 refers to overall career success and rising through the ranks, not a single promotion event.
The loanword プロモーション is only used for marketing and sales promotions. Using it to mean a job promotion will cause confusion. Use 昇進 instead.
今年は昇進したいと思っています。
I'm hoping for a promotion this year.
ノートパソコンの特別プロモーションを実施中です。
They're running a special promotion on laptops.
The loanword from English, widely used in marketing and entertainment. Can refer to advertising, publicity, or special offers.
この曲のプロモーションのために全国ツアーをした。
We did a nationwide tour to promote this song.
プロモーションコードを入力すると割引になります。
Enter the promotion code to get a discount.
その映画は大々的に宣伝された。
The movie was heavily promoted.
観光促進のための新しい政策が発表された。
A new policy for the promotion of tourism was announced.
地域振興に貢献する。
Contribute to regional promotion.
彼は黒帯に昇級した。
He was promoted to black belt.