Translation guide
The English word 'urge' can be a noun (a strong desire or impulse) or a verb (to strongly encourage or persuade someone to do something). This guide covers both uses, organized by meaning.
チョコレートを食べたい衝動にかられている。
I have an urge to eat chocolate.
彼は私に行くよう促した。
He urged me to go.
Expressing a sudden strong wish to do something, often one that is hard to control.
The most direct translation for a sudden, often uncontrollable impulse. Commonly used in psychological or everyday contexts.
買いたい衝動を抑えられなかった。
I couldn't resist the urge to buy it.
彼は突然、叫びたい衝動に駆られた。
He was suddenly seized by an urge to scream.
Pattern: verb stem + たい + 衝動. Natural way to say 'the urge to do X'.
何か甘いものを食べたい衝動にかられた。
I had an urge to eat something sweet.
A strong desire or craving, often for something specific. Can be more sustained than 衝動.
彼は成功への欲望が強い。
He has a strong urge to succeed.
A want or drive, often used in psychological or formal contexts. Similar to 'desire' or 'need'.
人間には承認欲求がある。
Humans have an urge for recognition.
Specifically 'impulse buying'. A common compound for the urge to purchase.
衝動買いをしてしまった。
I made an impulse purchase.
Trying to persuade or push someone to take a particular action, often with insistence.
To urge, prompt, or encourage someone to do something. Polite and commonly used in formal or business settings.
上司は私に早く決断するよう促した。
My boss urged me to make a decision quickly.
彼女は彼に注意するよう促した。
She urged him to be careful.
To recommend or advise strongly. Often used when suggesting a course of action for someone's benefit.
Literally 'strongly recommend'. Emphasizes the intensity of the urging.
彼は私にその本を読むよう強く勧めた。
He strongly urged me to read that book.
To press or urge forcefully, sometimes with a sense of urgency or pressure. Can be used when demanding an answer or action.
To urge someone to do something they are supposed to do, like paying a bill or submitting a document. Implies a reminder or demand.
大家が家賃の支払いを催促した。
The landlord urged payment of the rent.
Publicly or formally urging a particular policy, action, or belief.
To assert or advocate strongly. Used when urging a point of view or course of action in discussions or debates.
彼は改革の必要性を主張した。
He urged the need for reform.
To appeal or make a plea. Often used when urging the public or an authority to take action.
彼女は聴衆に寄付を訴えた。
She urged the audience to donate.
衝動 (shoudou) is a sudden impulse, often irrational. 欲望 (yokubou) is a deeper, more sustained desire (like greed or lust). 欲求 (yokkyuu) is a psychological want or drive (like need for approval). For 'urge' as a sudden impulse, 衝動 is usually best.
衝動的に彼にキスした。
I kissed him on an urge.
彼は金への欲望が強い。
He has a strong urge for money.
English 'urge someone to do' does not have a single perfect Japanese verb. Use 促す (unagasu) for polite encouragement, 勧める (susumeru) for recommendation, or 迫る (semaru) for pressing. Avoid direct translations like 'urgeする'.
医者は私に禁煙を勧めた。
The doctor urged me to quit smoking.
He urged me for an answer.