urge / promote
N2- Onyomi
- ソク
- Kunyomi
- うなが(す)
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 促 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 足 (foot / leg) — a knee and a foot, ready to step. Picture the plain outline of a person standing, put 促 inside it, and let that scene stand for "urge" — urge / promote. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は9画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 9 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
促す
unagasu
to urge
促して
unagashite
urge — te-form
促します
unagashimasu
urge — polite present
促さない
unagasanai
urge — plain negative
促しました
unagashimashita
urge — polite past
促しません
unagashimasen
urge — polite negative
Example sentences (2)
先生が学生に発言を促しました。
せんせい が がくせい に はつげん を うながしました。
sensei ga gakusei ni hatsugen o unagashimashita.
The teacher prompted the students to speak up.
期限が近いことを伝えて、返事を促しました。
きげん が ちかい こと を つたえて、へんじ を うながしました。
kigen ga chikai koto o tsutaete, henji o unagashimashita.
I let them know the deadline was near and urged a reply.