How to say "proposal" in Japanese

• 提案ていあんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe default word for a proposal or suggestion put forward for consideration, in contexts from business meetings to everyday plans. When unsure which word to use for 'proposal', this is usually the safest choice.
  私の提案ていあんを承認しょうにんしていただけますか。↗

  Could you approve my proposal?
• 案あんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Covers a proposal in the sense of a plan or draft idea being worked out, such as a counterproposal or rough plan. It emphasizes the content of the idea itself rather than the act of proposing it.
  驚おどろいたことに、彼かれは簡単かんたんに案あんを考え出かんがえだした。↗

  To my surprise, he easily came up with a plan.
• 提言ていげんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal proposal or recommendation, typically made by a committee, expert body, or report to an organization or the public. It carries a weighty, policy-oriented tone and is not used for casual suggestions.
  君きみの提言ていげんが会合かいごうの席せきで話題わだいにのぼったよ。↗

  Your suggestion came up at the meeting.
• 申し出もうしでJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA proposal in the sense of an offer or request that someone voluntarily puts forward, such as offering help or applying for something. It is not the usual word for a plan or suggestion presented for discussion.
  なぜ彼かれの申し出もうしでを断ことわったのですか。↗

  Why did you turn down his offer?
• 提唱ていしょうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA proposal in the sense of advocacy: publicly recommending or championing an idea, theory, or course of action. It suits contexts like proposing a new policy or theory, rather than presenting a concrete plan for approval.
  トムは別べつの案あんを委員会いいんかいに提唱ていしょうした。↗

  Tom suggested another plan to the committee.

Use 提案 for a general proposal or suggestion, 案 for a draft plan, 提言 for a formal recommendation, 「申し出」 for an offer someone puts forward, and 提唱 for advocating an idea.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 提案ていあんproposal
• 案あんidea
• 提言ていげんproposal
• 申し出もうしでproposal
• 提唱ていしょうadvocacy
• 申し入れもうしいれproposal
• 発議はつぎproposal
• プロポーザルproposal
• 発案はつあんsuggestion
• 進言しんげんadvice (to a superior)
• 建議けんぎproposition
• 発言はつげんstatement
• 申し込みもうしこみapplication
• 提議ていぎproposal
• 申し出でもうしいでproposal
• 献策けんさくsuggestion
• 建言けんげんoffering an opinion (to a superior, the government, etc.)
• 協定案きょうていあんagreement
• プロポーズ(marriage) proposal
• 企画書きかくしょ(written) proposal
• 提案書ていあんしょ(written) proposal
• 建議書けんぎしょ(written) proposal (sent to the government)