Translation guide
The English verb 'promote' covers several distinct meanings: advancing someone in rank, advertising a product, encouraging a cause, and helping something develop. Japanese uses different words for each.
To give someone a higher position or rank, especially in a job or organization.
The most common and neutral way to say 'promote' in a workplace context. Used for formal promotions.
彼は部長に昇進した。
He was promoted to department manager.
Similar to 昇進 but often used for rank or status upgrades, not just job titles. Can be used in sports or organizations.
彼女は二軍から一軍に昇格した。
She was promoted from the second team to the first team.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to rise in the world' or 'to succeed in one's career'. Often implies climbing the corporate ladder.
彼は若くして出世した。
He rose to success at a young age.
To make people aware of a product, service, or event through advertising or publicity.
General term for promoting through advertising or publicity. Can be used for products, events, or ideas.
新製品を宣伝するために、テレビCMを流した。
They aired a TV commercial to promote the new product.
Short for 販売促進 (sales promotion). Focuses on activities that directly boost sales, like discounts or campaigns.
このイベントは新商品の販促のために企画された。
This event was planned to promote sales of the new product.
Loanword from English. Often used in marketing contexts, especially for promotional campaigns.
彼女は新曲のプロモーションで全国を回った。
She toured the country to promote her new song.
To actively support or encourage the acceptance or development of an idea, cause, or activity.
Means 'to promote' in the sense of pushing forward a policy, plan, or movement. Often used in formal or organizational contexts.
政府は再生可能エネルギーの利用を推進している。
The government is promoting the use of renewable energy.
Focuses on accelerating or stimulating growth, development, or progress. Often used for economic or social phenomena.
この政策は経済成長を促進するだろう。
This policy will promote economic growth.
Often has a negative connotation, meaning to encourage or foster something undesirable, like bad habits or corruption.
過保護は子供の自立心を助長しない。
Overprotection does not promote independence in children.
To contribute to the progress or growth of something, such as health, understanding, or a quality.
Commonly used for promoting health, welfare, or mutual understanding. Often appears in set phrases like 健康増進 (health promotion).
運動は健康を増進する。
Exercise promotes health.
Means to nurture, foster, or cultivate. Used for developing talent, skills, or human resources.
会社は若手社員の育成に力を入れている。
The company is focusing on promoting the development of young employees.
Both mean 'promote' in the sense of pushing something forward. 推進 is used for actively driving a policy or initiative, while 促進 focuses on accelerating an existing process or trend. 経済成長を促進する (promote economic growth) is natural, but 経済成長を推進する sounds like you are directly implementing growth, which is less common.
When talking about promoting oneself (e.g., on social media), Japanese does not use 宣伝する for personal branding in the same way. Instead, use 自己アピールする (self-appeal) or 自分を売り込む (sell oneself). Saying 自分を宣伝する can sound overly commercial or strange.
彼女はマネージャーに昇進した。
She was promoted to manager.
彼らは新作映画を大々的に宣伝している。
They are promoting the new movie heavily.
その団体は平和を推進している。
The organization promotes peace.