進 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

by

What does 進 mean in Japanese?

進 means to advance or move forward. The two kun’yomi — 進む (susumu, intransitive: to advance) and 進める (susumeru, transitive: to move something forward) — cover the core grammar. Beyond movement, 進 carries the idea of progress and development in many compound words.

A key distinction for learners is 進める vs 勧める (both read すすめる). 進める (with 進) means to move a project or task forward. 勧める (with 勧) means to recommend or encourage someone to do something. The two appear frequently enough that keeping them distinct is a real N4 reading skill.

Reading

On’yomi: シン (shin)

Kun’yomi: すす-む (susu-mu), すす-める (susu-meru)

Basic Information

Kanji 進
Meaning advance, proceed, progress
Stroke Count 11
JLPT Level N4

How to Understand This Kanji

進む (intransitive): the subject moves forward or makes progress — 仕事が進む (work progresses), まっすぐ進む (go straight ahead). 進める (transitive): someone advances something — 計画を進める (advance a plan), 話を進める (move the conversation forward). 進歩 (shinpo, progress) = 進 + 歩, connecting to 歩 (step) from seed_id 187 — both kanji together in one of the most natural compounds for talking about improvement.

Common Words

  • 進む（すすむ / susumu） — to advance, to proceed, to make progress (intransitive)
  • 進める（すすめる / susumeru） — to advance something, to move forward (transitive)
  • 進歩（しんぽ / shinpo） — progress, advancement
  • 前進（ぜんしん / zenshin） — forward progress, advance
  • 進路（しんろ / shinro） — course, path ahead; future career/study path
  • 促進（そくしん / sokushin） — promotion, acceleration, furthering

Example Sentences

  • この道をまっすぐ進んでください。

    このみちをまっすぐすすんでください。 / Kono michi o massugu susunde kudasai.

    Please go straight ahead along this road.

  • 計画を順調に進めています。

    けいかくをじゅんちょうにすすめています。 / Keikaku o junchou ni susumete imasu.

    We are advancing the plan smoothly.

  • 日本語の勉強が少しずつ進んでいます。

    にほんごのべんきょうがすこしずつすすんでいます。 / Nihongo no benkyou ga sukoshi zutsu susunde imasu.

    My Japanese study is progressing little by little.

Related Kanji

  • 歩

    — Step/walk — 進歩 (progress) = 進 + 歩; both kanji covered in Day 5 and Day 6 combine into one of the most natural compound words for talking about improvement

  • 前

    — Front/forward — 前進 (forward progress) = 前 + 進; 前 connects back to Day 4 (前向き) and reinforces the forward direction theme across this block

  • 止

    — Stop — 進む (advance) and 止まる (stop) are conceptual opposites; both appear in Day 6, completing the move-stop-advance triad

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

進める vs 勧める is the essential homophone pair for this kanji. Both read すすめる but are written differently and mean different things. 進める (with 進, advance) = to push something forward: 計画を進める (advance the plan), 作業を進める (push the work forward). 勧める (with 勧, recommend) = to recommend or encourage: 本を勧める (recommend a book), 運動を勧める (recommend exercise). In kanji, the distinction is clear; in hiragana alone, context must carry it.

まっすぐ進む (go straight ahead) is an essential direction phrase. 進む alone captures both physical forward motion and metaphorical advancement. この道をまっすぐ進んでください (go straight along this road) is something you will say and hear constantly when giving or receiving directions.

進路 (shinro, course / path ahead) = 進 (advance) + 路 (road/path). In everyday use, 進路 refers to a student’s future path — which school to go to next, which career to pursue. 進路相談 (shinro soudan, career / study-path counselling) is a key term in Japanese school life.

前進 (zenshin, forward progress) = 前 (front/forward) + 進 (advance). A pair worth knowing alongside the Day 4 kanji 向: 前向き (positive, forward-facing) and 前進 (making forward progress) both use 前.

Summary

進 means to advance or make progress, with 進む (intransitive) and 進める (transitive) as the core verbs and the 進める vs 勧める homophone distinction as the essential learning point.