督促|とくそくtokusoku[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- noun, suru verb, transitive verburge; demand; importunity
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 督促する(とくそくする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 督促します(とくそくします) |
| Negative (nai) | 督促しない(とくそくしない) |
| polite (masen) | 督促しません(とくそくしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 督促せず・督促せぬ(とくそくせず・とくそくせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 督促した(とくそくした) |
| polite (mashita) | 督促しました(とくそくしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 督促しなかった(とくそくしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 督促しませんでした(とくそくしませんでした) |
| Te form | 督促して(とくそくして) |
| Potential | 督促できる(とくそくできる) |
| Passive | 督促される(とくそくされる) |
| Causative | 督促させる(とくそくさせる) |
| Causative passive | 督促させられる(とくそくさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 督促すれば(とくそくすれば) |
| tara | 督促したら(とくそくしたら) |
| Volitional | 督促しよう(とくそくしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 督促しましょう(とくそくしましょう) |
| Imperative | 督促しろ(とくそくしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym催促さいそくNeutralEveryday word for pressing someone to fulfill an agreement, regardless of hierarchy. 「督促」 implies a supervisory party demanding payment of debts or taxes.
- Synonym促すうながすNeutralPrompts or urges someone to act, from a light nudge to firm pressure; also covers promoting growth, so much broader. 「督促」 centers on demanding payment of debts or taxes.
- Synonym督責とくせきWrittenHarsh pressing and urging; rare even in formal writing — in everyday contexts say 「督促」 or 「催促」.
- Synonym責め立てるせめたてるNeutralHarshly blames and presses someone, with an aggressive edge; not limited to pressing for payment.
- Synonym督励とくれいWrittenA superior overseeing and spurring on subordinates; has an encouraging nuance, not about collecting debts. Written/formal prose.
- Related叱咤しったWrittenLoud scolding or rousing encouragement; often in 「叱咤激励」, with the focus on boosting morale. Written/formal prose.
- Antonym猶予ゆうよWrittenGranting extra time or postponing action — the opposite of 「督促」, which presses for fulfillment. Written/formal prose.
Use 「督促」 for formally pressing for payment of debts or taxes, as in 「督促状」; for everyday urging use 「催促」, and 「促す」 for prompting someone to act. 「督励」/「叱咤」 add encouragement, 「責め立てる」 is aggressive blame, 「猶予」 is the opposite: granting delay.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


