催促|さいそくsaisoku[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbpressing; urging; demanding; demand
    催促さいそくがましくて恐縮きょうしゅくですが、先日せんじつお貸かししたお金かねを返かえしていただけませんか。↗
    I'm afraid this sounds like a demand, but could you return the money I lent you the other day?
Conjugation
Dictionary form催促する(さいそくする)
Polite (masu)催促します(さいそくします)
Negative (nai)催促しない(さいそくしない)
polite (masen)催促しません(さいそくしません)
classical zu / nu催促せず・催促せぬ(さいそくせず・さいそくせぬ)
Past (ta)催促した(さいそくした)
polite (mashita)催促しました(さいそくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)催促しなかった(さいそくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)催促しませんでした(さいそくしませんでした)
Te form催促して(さいそくして)
Potential催促できる(さいそくできる)
Passive催促される(さいそくされる)
Causative催促させる(さいそくさせる)
Causative passive催促させられる(さいそくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)催促すれば(さいそくすれば)
tara催促したら(さいそくしたら)
Volitional催促しよう(さいそくしよう)
polite (mashou)催促しましょう(さいそくしましょう)
Imperative催促しろ(さいそくしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym促すうながすNeutralA verb for urging someone to act or promoting something, from gentle to strong, also abstract effects like 「注意を促す」「成長を促す」; 催促 demands an agreement be honored.
  • Synonym督促とくそくFormalFormal: a supervising party pressing for payment, as in 「督促状」; mostly taxes and debts, with a stern tone. 催促 covers ordinary promises.
  • Antonym待つまつNeutralTo wait for something rather than press for it — the direct opposite of 催促.
  • Antonym猶予ゆうよNeutralA postponement or extension of a deadline, as in 「執行猶予」; granting it is the opposite of pressing for fulfillment.

Use 「催促」 to demand that someone make good on an agreement, as in 「返事を催促する」. Use 「促す」 to urge action or promote something, 「督促」 in formal demands for tax or debt payment. 「待つ」 and 「猶予」 are the opposites: waiting and granting more time.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 約束やくそくの履行りこうを要求ようきゅうすること。
  2. 約束やくそくの履行りこうを要求ようきゅうする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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