What does 促使 mean in Chinese?

促使 (cù shǐ) means "to induce; to promote; to urge; to impel; to bring about; to provoke; to drive (sb to do sth); to catalyze; to actuate; to contribute to (some development)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 促使?

促使 is pronounced "cù shǐ" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 促使?

促使 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 促使?

促使 is made up of the characters 促, 使. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 促使?

You can practice writing 促使 using our stroke order tool.

促使 (cù shǐ), to induce

促使

cù shǐ

to induce; to promote; to urge; to impel

HSK 5verb

Characters in This Word

促使

Definitions

(verb) to induce
to promote
to urge
to impel
to bring about
to provoke
to drive (sb to do sth)
to catalyze
to actuate
to contribute to (some development)

Example Sentences

这次失败促使他更加努力学习。

Zhè cì shībài cùshǐ tā gèng jiā nǔlì xuéxí

This failure prompted him to study even harder

→

促(cù)· urgent

→

发扬光大(fā yáng guāng dà)· to develop and promote

→

催情(cuī qíng)· to promote estrus

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

促使: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 促使 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

促使