進 — Advance, Proceed, Progress

Meaning

The kanji 進 (しん) primarily means “advance,” “proceed,” and “progress.” This fundamental character in Japanese indicates movement forward, improvement, or taking a step in a certain direction. You'll frequently encounter it in expressions related to personal growth, project development, the passage of time, and physical movement.

Its etymological roots are quite illustrative. The kanji 進 is composed of two main components: the radical 辶 (しんにょう), commonly known as the 'road' or 'walking' radical, which inherently suggests movement or a path. The second component is 隹 (ふるとり), which originally depicted a short-tailed bird. Together, these elements paint a picture of a bird or person moving along a path, vividly illustrating the idea of advancing or proceeding. While the form has simplified over time, the essence of forward motion remains central. This visual connection to walking and moving forward directly ties into its meaning of making progress or advancing in any context.

The kanji 進 has 11 strokes. It's taught in Grade 3 of Japanese elementary school, making it a common and early-introduced kanji for native speakers. For JLPT N4 learners, it's an essential character to master.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The on'yomi reading for 進 is シン (shin). This Chinese-derived reading is typically used in compound words, especially for more abstract or formal concepts like progress, advancement, or development.

進行しんこう (shinkō) — progress; advance; movement. This term is used when something is moving forward, like a project or a vehicle. For example, 工事こうじの進行しんこう (kōji no shinkō - progress of construction work).
進化しんか (shinka) — evolution; progress. This refers to a gradual development or improvement, often in a biological or technological context. For instance, 人類じんるいの進化しんか (jinrui no shinka - human evolution).
前進ぜんしん (zenshin) — advance; forward movement. Similar to 進行, but often emphasizes the act of moving towards the front. An example would be 目標もくひょうへ前進ぜんしんする (mokuhyō e zenshin suru - to advance towards a goal).

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi readings for 進 are すす.む (susu.mu) and すす.める (susu.meru). These are native Japanese readings, used either when the kanji stands alone or as part of native Japanese vocabulary. They distinguish between intransitive and transitive verbs, adding a crucial nuance to how the action of 'advancing' is performed.

すす.む (susu.mu) — This is an intransitive verb, meaning “to advance,” “to proceed,” “to make progress,” or “to go forward.” It describes something moving or progressing on its own accord, or the subject itself is advancing. It can apply to physical movement, time, or the state of a project. For example:
時計とけいが進すすむ (tokei ga susumu) — The clock runs fast. (The clock itself is advancing.)
計画けいかくが順調じゅんちょうに進すすむ (keikaku ga junchō ni susumu) — The plan progresses smoothly.
すす.める (susu.meru) — This is a transitive verb, meaning “to advance (something),” “to promote,” “to recommend,” or “to push forward.” It describes someone actively causing something else to advance or proceed. For example:
研究けんきゅうを進すすめる (kenkyū o susumeru) — To advance/further research. (Someone is causing the research to advance.)
読書どくしょを進すすめる (dokushō o susumeru) — To recommend reading. (Someone is promoting reading.)

Common Words & Compounds

Here's a list of common words and compounds using 進, categorized by their nuanced meanings to help you grasp their usage:

General Progress & Movement

進行しんこう (shinkō) — Progress; advance; movement. E.g., 工事こうじの進行しんこう (progress of construction).
前進ぜんしん (zenshin) — Advance; forward movement. E.g., 目標もくひょうへ前進ぜんしんする (to advance towards a goal).
進歩しんぽ (shinpo) — Progress; advancement; improvement. Often used for general development. E.g., 科学かがくの進歩しんぽ (scientific progress).
進展しんてん (shinten) — Development; progress; expansion. Often refers to the unfolding of a situation. E.g., 事件じけんの進展しんてん (development of the incident).

Development & Evolution

進化しんか (shinka) — Evolution; progress. E.g., 技術ぎじゅつの進化しんか (technological evolution).
推進すいしん (suishin) — Propulsion; promotion; driving force. E.g., 計画けいかくを推進すいしんする (to promote a plan).

Education & Career

進学しんがく (shingaku) — Entering a higher-level school (e.g., high school to university). E.g., 大学だいがくへ進学しんがくする (to go on to university).
進路しんろ (shinro) — Course; career path; future direction. E.g., 進路相談しんろそうだん (career counseling).
進級しんきゅう (shinkyū) — Advancement in grade; promotion. E.g., 無事ぶじに進級しんきゅうする (to advance to the next grade safely).

Verbs

進むすすむ (susumu) — To advance; to proceed (intransitive). E.g., 時計とけいが進すすむ (the clock runs fast).
進めるすすめる (susumeru) — To advance (something); to promote (transitive). E.g., 仕事しごとを進すすめる (to advance one's work).

Example Sentences

彼かれは研究けんきゅうを着実ちゃくじつに進すすめている。

Kare wa kenkyū o chakujitsu ni susumete iru.

He is steadily advancing his research.

会議かいぎは予定通よていどおりに進行しんこうしています。

Kaigi wa yotei-dōri ni shinkō shite imasu.

The meeting is progressing as scheduled.

時間じかんは誰だれも止とめられずに進すすんでいく。

Jikan wa dare mo tomerarezu ni susunde iku.

Time advances without anyone being able to stop it.

科学技術かがくぎじゅつは常つねに進化しんかしています。

Kagaku gijutsu wa tsune ni shinka shite imasu.

Science and technology are constantly evolving.

新あたらしいプロジェクトぷろじぇくとを来週らいしゅうから進すすめる予定よていです。

Atarashii purojekuto o raishū kara susumeru yotei desu.

We plan to advance the new project starting next week.

彼女かのじょは夢ゆめに向むかって一歩一歩いっぽずつ前進ぜんしんした。

Kanojo wa yume ni mukatte ippo-ippo zenshin shita.

She advanced step by step towards her dream.

来年らいねんは大学だいがくに進学しんがくしたいと思おもっています。

Rainen wa daigaku ni shingaku shitai to omotte imasu.

I am thinking of advancing to university next year.

彼かれはいつも難むずかしい問題もんだいの解決かいけつを進すすめるのが得意とくいです。

Kare wa itsumo muzukashii mondai no kaiketsu o susumeru no ga tokui desu.

He is always good at advancing the solution of difficult problems.

技術ぎじゅつの進歩しんぽは私達わたしたちの生活せいかつを豊ゆたかにする。

Gijutsu no shinpo wa watashitachi no seikatsu o yutaka ni suru.

Technological progress enriches our lives.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember 進, break it down into its components: the 'road' radical 辶 on the left, which represents movement along a path, and the 'bird' radical 隹 on the right. Picture a bird confidently taking steps or hopping forward along a road. This imagery vividly illustrates the idea of advancing or progressing. The road radical guides the bird, propelling it forward. This simple visual story helps you link the kanji's shape to its core meaning of forward motion and development.