Definitions

(verb) to urge; to promote
(adjective) urgent; hurried
(adjective) close; intimate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "促" structurally integrates the person radical (亻) with the component for foot (足), forming an etymological basis that conveys the idea of a person in motion, initially associated with physical urgency or hastening. Its early applications centered on concrete actions of pressing forward or encouraging swift movement, often within interpersonal dynamics. Over time, the semantic scope extended beyond literal speed to include the figurative act of urging, as seen in催促, and further evolved to embrace abstract functions such as promoting an event or facilitating a process, marking a transition from direct physicality to broader conceptual uses while retaining its foundational compositional logic.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

销活动很受欢迎。

Cù xiāo huó dòng hěn shòu huān yíng.

The promotional event is very popular.

妈妈催我快点起床。

Mā ma cuī cù wǒ kuài diǎn qǐ chuáng.

Mom urged me to get up quickly.

政府采取措施进经济增长。

Zhèng fǔ cǎi qǔ cuò shī cù jìn jīng jì zēng zhǎng.

The government takes measures to promote economic growth.

这次谈话使我改变了主意。

Zhè cì tán huà cù shǐ wǒ gǎi biàn le zhǔ yì.

This conversation prompted me to change my mind.

紧张的气氛让人感到局不安。

Jǐn zhāng de qì fēn ràng rén gǎn dào jú cù bù ān.

The tense atmosphere makes people feel uneasy and restless.

催化剂能显著进化学反应速度。

Cuī huà jì néng xiǎn zhù cù jìn huà xué fǎn yìng sù dù.

A catalyst can significantly accelerate the speed of a chemical reaction.

两国领导人进行了短暂的膝长谈。

Liǎng guó lǐng dǎo rén jìn xíng le duǎn zàn de cù xī cháng tán.

The leaders of the two countries had a brief but intimate and lengthy conversation.

这些因素共同成了公司的成功转型。

Zhè xiē yīn sù gòng tóng cù chéng le gōng sī de chéng gōng zhuǎn xíng.

These factors collectively contributed to the company's successful transformation.