促使
cù shǐ HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

这次经历促使他改变。
Zhè cì jīnglì cùshǐ tā gǎibiàn.
This experience impelled him to change.
老师的鼓励促使我努力。
Lǎoshī de gǔlì cùshǐ wǒ nǔlì.
The teacher's encouragement impelled me to work hard.
天气促使我们早点回家。
Tiānqì cùshǐ wǒmen zǎo diǎn huí jiā.
The weather impelled us to go home early.
成功促使他努力。
Chénggōng cùshǐ tā nǔlì.
Success motivates him to work hard.
失败促使我学习。
Shībài cùshǐ wǒ xuéxí.
Failure prompts me to study.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters: 促 (cù) means 'to urge' or 'hasten,' and 使 (shǐ) means 'to make' or 'cause.' Think: 'to urge and make something happen' → 'to impel.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is relatively formal and is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, such as reports, essays, news articles, and formal discussions. It is often used to explain causes and effects in analytical or narrative contexts.

📖 Grammar Points

促使 is often followed by a verb phrase or clause indicating the action or change it causes. The structure is typically: [Subject (catalyst)] + 促使 + [Object (person/entity)] + [Verb Phrase/Result]. For example, '...促使了我离职 (...impelled me to resign).'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese communication, using 促使 can convey a sense of logical causality and is often employed in professional or academic settings to objectively explain motivations or triggers behind actions.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 导致 (dǎozhì, 'to lead to,' often for negative results), 促使 is more neutral or positive and implies an active impetus. Compared to 鼓励 (gǔlì, 'to encourage'), 促使 is less about support and more about a compelling cause.

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