Translation guide
The English phrase "put forward" has several distinct meanings: to propose an idea or plan, to nominate someone, to advance a clock, to physically move something forward, and to present an argument. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
To suggest or offer an idea, theory, plan, or proposal for consideration.
The most common and neutral way to say 'put forward a proposal/idea'. Used in business, formal, and everyday contexts.
新しい計画を提案しました。
I put forward a new plan.
Used for raising an issue, question, or problem for discussion. Slightly more formal than 提案する.
彼は重要な問題を提起した。
He put forward an important issue.
To present or put forward a concrete plan, data, or conditions. Often used when showing something specific.
条件を提示してください。
Please put forward your conditions.
To offer or put forward a suggestion or help, often in a polite or humble manner. Used when volunteering something.
彼は援助を申し出た。
He put forward an offer of assistance.
To suggest someone for a position, role, or award.
The standard word for recommending or putting forward a person for a position or honor.
彼を議長に推薦します。
I put him forward as chairperson.
Literally 'to raise as a candidate'. Used when putting someone forward as a candidate.
彼女を候補に挙げましょう。
Let's put her forward as a candidate.
To nominate or name someone for a position, often in formal settings like meetings.
会長に彼を指名します。
I put him forward for president.
To move a clock or a scheduled time to a later time (note: 'put forward' means to make it later, not earlier).
Used for moving a clock forward or advancing a schedule. Be careful: in English 'put forward' a clock means to set it to a later time, which is 進める in Japanese.
時計を1時間進めてください。
Please put the clock forward one hour.
To move a schedule or event to an earlier time. Note: this is the opposite of 'put forward' in the clock sense, but sometimes used for deadlines.
In English, 'put forward' a meeting usually means to make it later, but 早める means to make it earlier. Use 遅らせる (おくらせる) to postpone.
To place or push something in a forward position.
Literally 'put out to the front'. Used for physically moving an object forward.
椅子を前に出してください。
Please put your chair forward.
More formal or written expression for placing something forward.
机を前方に置いた。
I put the desk forward.
To state or advance an argument, opinion, or viewpoint.
To assert or put forward an opinion or argument. Commonly used in debates and discussions.
彼は自分の意見を主張した。
He put forward his opinion.
To argue or discuss a point, often in a formal or academic context.
彼は新しい理論を論じた。
He put forward a new theory.
In English, 'put the clock forward' means to set it to a later time (e.g., for daylight saving). In Japanese, 進める (すすめる) is used. However, 'put a meeting forward' can be ambiguous in English; in Japanese, 早める means to make it earlier, while 遅らせる (おくらせる) means to postpone. Always clarify the intended direction.
会議の時間を早めました。
We put the meeting forward (made it earlier).