督促(とくそく)

とくそく
noun
demand for payment; pressing; urging
1. demand for payment; dunning; collection notice
A formal demand or reminder to pay overdue bills, debts, or other obligations.
督促(とくそく)状(じょう)が届(とど)いた。
A payment demand notice arrived.
支払(しはら)いの督促(とくそく)を受(う)けた。
I received a demand for payment.
何度(なんど)も督促(とくそく)されてやっと支払(しはら)った。
After being dunned multiple times, I finally paid.
2. urging; pressing; prompting
Strongly encouraging or pushing someone to do something they should have done.
上司(じょうし)から報告書(ほうこくしょ)の提出(ていしゅつ)を督促(とくそく)された。
I was pressed by my boss to submit the report.
締(し)め切(き)りの督促(とくそく)が来(き)た。
A reminder about the deadline came.
督促(とくそく)しないと動(うご)かない部下(ぶか)がいる。
There are subordinates who won't act unless pressed.

督促(とくそく) means to formally demand that someone fulfill an overdue obligation, most commonly a payment.

SENSE 1 - PAYMENT DEMANDS:
The most common usage. Refers to official reminders or notices demanding overdue payments. If you receive a 督促(とくそく)状(じょう), it is a serious formal demand.

SENSE 2 - GENERAL URGING:
Can also mean pressing someone to complete a task they should have done, such as submitting a report or meeting a deadline.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 督促(とくそく)状(じょう): collection notice, demand letter
  • 督促(とくそく)電話(でんわ): collection call
  • 支払(しはら)いの督促(とくそく): payment demand
  • 督促(とくそく)する: to dun, to press for

CONTRAST:

  • 督促(とくそく): formal demand for overdue obligations (stronger pressure)
  • 催促(さいそく): urging, reminder (lighter, more general)
  • 請求(せいきゅう): billing, invoice (neutral request for payment)
general
Added 2026.1.30 23:51 · Revised 2026.4.5 20:45
09000/09002_tokusoku