前進

ぜんしん

advance, drive, progress

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"前進" (ぜんしん) primarily means "advance" or "move forward." It can be used literally, such as troops advancing in battle, or figuratively, like progress in technology or personal growth.

Common Contexts

You will often see "前進" in military or physical movement contexts, but it is also common in discussions about progress in various fields, such as science, technology, or personal development.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 前進する: to advance or move forward (used for both physical and metaphorical progress)
  • 前進を続ける: to keep advancing or progressing
  • 前進を阻む: to hinder or block progress

Register and Nuance

"前進" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It often implies positive movement or improvement.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "前進" with "進歩" (しんぽ), which also means progress. "前進" emphasizes moving forward, often physically or in a direct manner, while "進歩" focuses more on improvement or development over time.

Example Sentences

ぐんたいはてきにむかってぜんしんした。

The army advanced toward the enemy.

ぎじゅつのぜんしんによりせいかつがべんりになった。

Life has become more convenient due to technological progress.

かれはこんなんにまけずにぜんしんしつづけた。

He kept moving forward without giving in to difficulties.