Japanese symbol for “precede”

In Japanese, precede is 進む, read すすむ (susumu).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

1. v5m, vi to advance (spatially); to go forward; to move forward
2. v5m, vi to precede; to go ahead (of); to be ahead (e.g. of the times); to advance (to the next stage); to move on (e.g. to the next grade); to enter (e.g. university)
3. v5m, vi to make progress; to move ahead (e.g. of work); to continue; to progress; to advance; to get on (with)
4. v5m, vi to intensify; to heighten; to grow; to deepen; to worsen (e.g. of an illness); to advance (e.g. of a condition)
5. v5m, vi to do of one's own free will; to be willing (to); to become enthusiastic
6. v5m, vi to be fast (of a clock); to gain (time); to be ahead

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “precede”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “precede”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.