促使

• 拼音: cù shǐ
• 汉字拆解: 促 = 亻(person) + 足 (foot, phonetic); 使 = 亻(person) + 吏 (official)

含义

To urge; to impel; to cause someone to do something. Emphasises an external force driving action.

Unlike 促进 which focuses on positive development, 促使 emphasises that an external factor pushes or compels someone to act. Often used when describing circumstances, events, or reasons that lead to a decision or change. Neutral in tone — the outcome can be positive or negative.

例句

1. 这次经历促使他下定决心去国外留学。
2. 环境问题日益严重，促使政府采取了新的措施。
3. 朋友的鼓励促使她勇敢地参加了比赛。

用法指南

语境: writing, news, analysis

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 是什么促使你做出这个决定的？(What prompted you to make this decision?)
• 竞争促使企业不断创新。(Competition drives companies to keep innovating.)

错误说法

• 用促使来代替促进 (Don't confuse 促使 with 促进 — 促使 means to cause/compel someone to act; 促进 means to promote positive development)

起源与历史

促 (urge/press) + 使 (cause/make) — both characters convey the idea of causing action, together intensifying the sense of external compulsion.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal