Meaning
The N1 kanji 推 (sui) is quite versatile. Its core meanings revolve around 'inferring,' 'surmising,' 'conjecturing,' and 'recommending.' It also carries a sense of 'pushing' or 'advancing' an idea or a person. Essentially, think of it as moving something forward, be it a thought process or a nomination.
This kanji originated as a phono-semantic compound. The left-hand radical, 手 (radical 64), means 'hand,' hinting at actions involving movement or manipulation. The right-hand component, 隹 (radical 172), originally depicted a 'short-tailed bird.' While primarily acting as a phonetic component for the 'sui' sound, some etymological interpretations also connect it to the idea of a bird's forward movement or a gathering. Together, the 'hand' radical visually suggests an act of 'pushing' or 'advancing.' This action can be physical, like pushing an object, or abstract, such as inferring, proposing an idea, or recommending a person. This visual combination of a hand actively moving something forward encapsulates its diverse meanings.
This kanji has 11 strokes and is considered a Grade 9 kanji. It is typically taught in secondary school in Japan, fitting its N1 JLPT level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 推 is スイ (SUI). This reading is frequently used when 推 forms part of compound words, especially those with abstract meanings related to inference, estimation, or promotion. Mastering these compounds is essential for grasping the nuances of this N1 kanji.
- 推測 (suisoku) — conjecture; guess; surmise. Used for making an educated guess or inference based on available information.
Example: 彼の発言から意図を推測した。
- 推薦 (suisen) — recommendation; endorsement. Often used for officially recommending someone for a position or an award.
Example: 先生が彼を学級委員に推薦した。
- 推進 (suishin) — propulsion; promotion; driving forward. Used for actively promoting or pushing forward a project, plan, or idea.
Example: 政府は環境保護プロジェクトを推進している。
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi for 推 are お.す (o.su) and お.し
(o.shi-). These are often used as verbs or as parts of compound verbs, conveying meanings like 'pushing,' 'recommending,' or 'inferring' in a direct, native Japanese context.
推す (osu) — to recommend; to endorse; to support (a candidate). This common verb expresses support or recommendation for someone.
Example: 次の社長には彼を推します。
- 推し (oshi) — (one's) favorite; strong recommendation. This noun has become particularly popular in youth culture to refer to one's favorite idol, character, or item.
Example: 私の今の推は、そのバンドのボーカルです。
- 推し進める (oshisusumeru) — to push forward; to promote. This compound verb emphasizes vigorously promoting or advancing something.
Example: 彼らはその改革を強引に推し進めようとした。
- 推し量る (oshihakaru) — to guess; to surmise; to infer. Used for making inferences or guesses about someone's feelings or a situation.
Example: 彼女の心中を推し量ることは難しい。
Common Words & Compounds
Below are additional common words and compounds featuring 推, grouped by thematic meaning to help you grasp their nuances:
Inference & Conjecture:
推測 (suisoku) — conjecture, guess, surmise (e.g., 将来について推測する - to make a conjecture about the future).
推定 (suitei) — presumption, estimation, inference (e.g., 推定時刻 - estimated time; 推定価格 - presumed value).
推論 (suiron) — inference, deduction (e.g., 論理的推論 - logical deduction).
推察 (suisatsu) — surmise, guess, conjecture (often about someone's feelings or thoughts; e.g., 相手の気持ちを推察する - to surmise someone's feelings).
推量 (suiryō) — conjecture, guess, estimation (similar to 推測; e.g., 彼の意図を推量する - to guess his intention).
Recommendation & Endorsement:
推薦 (suisen) — recommendation, endorsement (e.g., 推薦状 - a letter of recommendation).
推す (osu) — to recommend, to endorse (e.g., 候補者を推す - to recommend a candidate).
推し (oshi) — (one's) favorite, strong recommendation (e.g., 私の推しアイドル - my favorite idol).
Promotion & Advancement:
推進 (suishin) — propulsion, promotion, driving forward (e.g., プロジェクトを推進する - to promote a project).
推移 (suii) — transition, change, development (e.g., 状況の推移 - the transition of events).
推し進める (oshisusumeru) — to push forward, to promote (e.g., 改革を推し進める - to push forward reforms).
General/Other:
推敲 (suikou) — polishing, careful revision (especially of writing or ideas; e.g., 文章を推敲する - to polish a text).
Example Sentences
彼は私の一番の推です。
Kare wa watashi no ichiban no oshi desu.
He is my favorite (my top recommendation).
友人が彼を部長に推した。
Yūjin ga kare o buchō ni oshita.
My friend recommended him for the department head position.
警察は事件の動機を推測している。
Keisatsu wa jiken no dōki o suisoku shite iru.
The police are conjecturing about the motive for the incident.
この計画を強力に推進する必要がある。
Kono keikaku o kyōryoku ni suishin suru hitsuyō ga aru.
It is necessary to vigorously promote this plan.
彼女は私に海外留学を推薦してくれた。
Kanojo wa watashi ni kaigai ryūgaku o suisen shite kureta.
She recommended me for studying abroad.
状況から見て、彼が犯人だと推察される。
Jōkyō kara mite, kare ga hannin da to suisatsu sareru.
Judging from the situation, it is surmised that he is the culprit.
経済状況は今後どう推移するだろうか。
Keizai jōkyō wa kongo dō suii surō ka.
How will the economic situation transition in the future?
文章の推敲は、より良い作品にするために不可欠だ。
Bunshō no suikō wa, yori yoi sakuhin ni suru tame ni fukaketsu da.
Polishing a text is indispensable for creating a better work.
年齢は推定で20歳前後と思われる。
Nenrei wa suitei de nijissai zengo to omowareru.
His age is estimated to be around 20.
彼は自分の意見を強引に推し進めようとした。
Kare wa jibun no iken o gōin ni oshisusumeyō to shita.
He tried to forcefully push forward his own opinion.
Memory Tip
To remember 推, think about its components: 手 (hand) on the left and 隹 (a short-tailed bird or phonetic) on the right. Imagine using your 'hand' (手) to gently 'push' (推す) a little 'bird' (隹) forward, encouraging it to fly or advance. This bird isn't just flying; it represents an idea, a person, or a theory you are trying to 'push' through, 'infer' from clues, or 'recommend' to others. The image of a hand actively advancing something, whether physically or conceptually, helps connect all the diverse meanings of 推.