1.
to urge, to press, to prompt
To encourage or push someone to take action, often by reminding them or applying gentle pressure.
返事を促す。
To press for an answer.
先生が生徒に発言を促した。
The teacher prompted the students to speak up.
何度も注意を促したが、彼は聞こうとしなかった。
I urged him to be careful many times, but he wouldn't listen.
政府は国民に避難を促した。
The government urged citizens to evacuate.
2.
to stimulate, to encourage, to facilitate
To bring about or speed up a process or change, used for abstract subjects like growth or development.
この薬は血行を促す。
This medicine promotes blood circulation.
温暖な気候が植物の成長を促す。
The warm climate encourages plant growth.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pattern: Xを促す / XにYを促す.
USAGE:
Sense 1 takes a person as the indirect object and an action as the direct object: 彼に決断を促す (to urge him to decide). Sense 2 takes an abstract process as the direct object: 成長を促す (to promote growth).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 注意を促す: to call attention to, to urge caution
- 返事を促す: to press for a reply
- 発言を促す: to prompt someone to speak
- 避難を促す: to urge evacuation
- 成長を促す: to promote growth
NOTE:
促す is more formal and measured than 急かす (to rush someone). It implies a respectful push rather than impatient pressure.