1.
advice to a superior; counsel; recommendation
The act of offering advice or a recommendation to someone of higher status or authority. Implies the speaker is in a subordinate position and is respectfully suggesting a course of action.
部下が社長に進言した。
A subordinate offered advice to the company president.
計画の見直しを上司に進言するつもりだ。
I intend to advise my boss to reconsider the plan.
家臣たちの進言を聞き入れ、殿様は方針を変えた。
The lord heeded his retainers' counsel and changed his policy.
Literally "advance + words" — pushing words forward to someone above you. Carries a formal, respectful tone and implies a hierarchical relationship.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 進言する (to offer advice to a superior)
- 進言を聞き入れる (to accept counsel)
- 進言を受ける (to receive counsel)
SIMILAR WORDS:
助言 is general advice with no hierarchical implication, while 進言 specifically means advice from a subordinate to a superior. 諫言 is stronger — remonstration or critical advice urging a superior to correct a mistake.