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.
I put forward a new plan.
Used for raising an issue, question, or problem for discussion. Slightly more formal than 提案する.
He put forward an important issue.
To present or put forward a concrete plan, data, or conditions. Often used when showing something specific.
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.
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.
I put him forward as chairperson.
Literally 'to raise as a candidate'. Used when putting someone forward as a candidate.
Let's put her forward as a candidate.
To nominate or name someone for a position, often in formal settings like meetings.
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.
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.
To state or advance an argument, opinion, or viewpoint.
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.
We put the meeting forward (made it earlier).
彼は新しい理論を論じた。
He put forward a new theory.