Translation and Meaning of: 促す - unagasu

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to urge someone to make a decision or speed up a process? Well, in Japanese, there is a perfect word for that: 促す (うながす). Whether it's to pressure a coworker, encourage an action, or even invite someone to pay attention, this verb is essential in everyday life. In this article, we will explore its etymology, practical usage, and even tips to memorize this kanji without a headache. After all, who hasn't struggled when it comes to writing 促す?

In addition to uncovering the meaning and origin of this word, you will discover how it appears in real dialogues and why it is so useful in corporate Japanese. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to jot down some key phrases that will boost your studies. Shall we go?

Etymology and Pictogram of 促す

The kanji 促す is one of those jewels of Japanese writing that carries history in every stroke. It is composed of two radicals: 人 (person) and 足 (foot). Together, they paint the image of someone being "pushed forward" — literally, an invitation to movement. It's no wonder that one of the main meanings is to accelerate or to incite.

Interestingly, the character 足 alone already suggests action (after all, feet are always in motion), but when combined with 人, it takes on a more personal tone. It’s almost like you’re saying: “Hey, let’s go, don’t just stand there!” This nuance is what makes 促す so common in contexts where there is a hierarchical relationship, such as bosses guiding subordinates or teachers guiding students.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

Imagine a work meeting where the deadline is approaching. Your boss might say: 「早く決断を促してください」 ("Please urge for a quick decision"). Here, 促す works as an external prompt, almost a gentle push (or not so gentle). In lighter situations, like inviting a friend to try a new dish, the verb fits as well: 「この料理を試すように促した」 ("I encouraged him to try this dish").

In the service sector, it is common to see ads using 促す to create urgency: 「ご注文を促すメール」 ("Email to encourage orders"). And yes, this includes those messages that remind you that your shopping cart is waiting — a universal strategy, but with a Japanese touch.

Tips for Memorizing and Common Mistakes

Anyone who has tried to write 促す knows that the underline of 足 can be tricky. A trick? Think of a person (人) being pulled forward by the foot (足). If the kanji still resists, try associating it with real-life situations. For example: that time you had to hurry a chronically late friend. There you go, emotional context helps to memorize!

Be careful with the trap of confusing 促す with 勧める (recommend). While the first implies some pressure, the second is gentler. Another common mistake is using the verb for inanimate things — it almost always involves conscious agents. No one "うながす" a slow computer (unless you are a very creative poet).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 促す

• 促す - base form
• 促した - simple past
• 促している - Present Continuous
• 促すだろう - Future
• 促させる - Causative

Synonyms and similar words

• 促進する (sokushin suru) - Promote, facilitate
• 促す (unagasu) - Encourage, motivate
• 刺激する (shigeki suru) - Encourage, incite (generally used in contexts of motivation or provocation)
• 推進する (suishin suru) - Boost, promote (more focused on a movement or initiative)
• 加速する (kasoku suru) - Accelerate, hurry (more related to increasing speed or progress)