昇進・陞進|しょうしんshoushin[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
しょうじんshoujinok
Which spelling to use
昇進昇進 is the most common and usual form. It is the form learners should normally use when writing about promotion or advancement.
陞進陞進 is a rarely used kanji-only form. Learners will seldom need to write it and should normally choose 昇進 instead.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbpromotion; advancement; rising in rank
    彼かれは課長かちょうに昇進しょうしんした。↗
    He was promoted to section chief.
Conjugation
Dictionary form昇進する(しょうしんする)
Polite (masu)昇進します(しょうしんします)
Negative (nai)昇進しない(しょうしんしない)
polite (masen)昇進しません(しょうしんしません)
classical zu / nu昇進せず・昇進せぬ(しょうしんせず・しょうしんせぬ)
Past (ta)昇進した(しょうしんした)
polite (mashita)昇進しました(しょうしんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)昇進しなかった(しょうしんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)昇進しませんでした(しょうしんしませんでした)
Te form昇進して(しょうしんして)
Potential昇進できる(しょうしんできる)
Passive昇進される(しょうしんされる)
Causative昇進させる(しょうしんさせる)
Causative passive昇進させられる(しょうしんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)昇進すれば(しょうしんすれば)
tara昇進したら(しょうしんしたら)
Volitional昇進しよう(しょうしんしよう)
polite (mashou)昇進しましょう(しょうしんしましょう)
Imperative昇進しろ(しょうしんしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym出世しゅっせNeutralGetting ahead, rising in the world — stresses gains in social standing. 「昇進」 is specifically about moving up in official rank or position.
  • Synonym昇級しょうきゅうNeutralMoving up a grade or pay level. 「昇進」 centers on being promoted to a higher post.
  • Synonym昇任しょうにんWrittenBeing promoted to a particular post; found mainly in official documents. 「昇進」 is the everyday word.
  • Synonym栄達えいたつWrittenWritten/formal word for a glorious rise to rank and fame, with a sense of honor. 「昇進」 is more matter-of-fact.
  • Synonym上進じょうしんWrittenWritten/formal but rare: rising in status or degree. 「昇進」, for moving up in rank, post or standing, is far more common.
  • Synonym栄進えいしんWrittenWritten/formal word for a glorious promotion, with a congratulatory ring. 「昇進」 is more objective.
  • Related上がるあがるNeutralGeneral verb for rising — position, level, degree and more. 「昇進」 is limited to promotion in rank, post or standing.
  • Related向上こうじょうNeutralImprovement — things rising to a better level or quality. 「昇進」 is about position.
  • Related登用とうようWrittenWritten/formal: elevating and employing talented people — the appointer's act. 「昇進」 is the person's own rise.
  • Related栄転えいてんNeutralA transfer to a more prestigious or desirable post; your rank may not rise. 「昇進」 need not involve a move.
  • Antonym左遷させんNeutralAntonym: demotion, or being shunted to a lesser post — the opposite of 「昇進」.
  • Antonym降格こうかくNeutralAntonym: being downgraded to a lower rank or class — the reverse of 「昇進」.

For promotion within an organization, say 「昇進」, as in 「課長に昇進する」. Use 「出世」 for getting ahead in life, 「栄転」 for a move to a better post, 「昇級」 for a higher grade or pay level, and 「登用」 for promoting talent. 「左遷」 and 「降格」 are the demotion opposites; 「栄達」「昇任」「栄進」「上進」 are bookish.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 官位かんいや地位ちい、身分みぶんなどが上位じょういへあがること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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

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