促: the kanji for urge; prompt

促 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means urge; prompt. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.

urge; promptMeaning

ソクOn reading

うながすKun reading

9Strokes

Stroke order

促 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

Words by reading

促 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).

ソク (soku)

On reading.

Word	Meaning
催促さいそく · saisoku	urging; reminder
促進そくしん · sokushin	promotion
販促はんそく · hansoku	sales promotion

うながす (unagasu)

Kun reading.

Word	Meaning
促すうながす · unagasu	to urge; to prompt

Example sentences for work and daily life

家賃の支払いを催促された。Yachin no shiharai o saisoku sareta.I was reminded to pay the rent.
先生は生徒に発言を促した。Sensei wa seito ni hatsugen o unagashita.The teacher encouraged the students to speak.
運動は血行を促進する。Undō wa kekkō o sokushin suru.Exercise promotes blood circulation.
駅員が乗客に注意を促した。Ekiin ga jōkyaku ni chūi o unagashita.The station staff urged passengers to be careful.
販促のためにチラシを配った。Hansoku no tame ni chirashi o kubatta.We handed out flyers for sales promotion.

Questions about 促

How many strokes does 促 have?

促 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 促?

The on readings are soku (ソク). The kun readings are unagasu (うながす).

What JLPT level is 促?

N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.

About the JLPT level

The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.