advance
N4- Onyomi
- シン
- Kunyomi
- すす(む)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 進 down and you get 隹 (short-tailed bird) — a small bird perched with its wing folded, and beside it ⻌ (road / movement) — a road running along the bottom of the character. Picture a small bird stepping forward, one foot ahead of the other, put 進 inside it, and let that scene stand for "advance" — advance. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
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11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 11 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
進む
susumu
to advance
進化
shinka
evolution
昇進
shoushin
promotion (rank)
躍進
yakushin
rapid progress
推進
suishin
promotion
進行
shinkou
progress
Example sentences (3)
工事は少しずつ進んでいます。
こうじ は すこし ずつ すすんでいます。
kouji wa sukoshi zutsu susundeimasu.
The construction is progressing little by little.
思ったより早く進んだので、今日で終わりそうです。
おもった より はやく すすんだ ので、きょう で おわり そう です。
omotta yori hayaku susunda node, kyou de owari sou desu.
It went faster than I expected, so it looks like it will finish today.
計画どおりに進まないこともあります。
けいかく どおり に すすまない こと も あります。
keikaku doori ni susumanai koto mo arimasu.
There are times when things do not go according to plan.