昇進

• Reading: しょうしん
• Romaji: shoushin
• Kanji breakdown: 昇 (shō) — rise, ascend; 進 (shin) — advance, proceed, progress
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.ɕiɴ/

Meaning

Promotion; advancement in rank. Moving up to a higher position within an organisation.

A noun and suru verb referring to being promoted at work. Used with する to form the intransitive verb 昇進する (to get promoted). Similar to 出世 (shussē, career advancement), but 昇進 focuses specifically on moving to a higher rank or title, while 出世 implies broader career success. Common collocations include 昇進試験 (promotion exam) and 昇進候補 (promotion candidate).

Examples

1. 彼女は入社5年で部長に昇進した。 She was promoted to department manager after five years with the company.
2. 昇進するためには実績だけでなく人望も必要だ。 To get promoted, you need not just a track record but also the trust and respect of others.
3. 今回の昇進は予想外だったので驚いた。 I was surprised because this promotion was unexpected.

Usage Guide

Context: business, career, human resources

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 昇 (shō, rise/ascend) + 進 (shin, advance/proceed). Literally 'rising and advancing' — climbing the organisational ladder.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional