促使 cùshǐ to prompt
to prompt; to induce; to spur
How to remember 促使: 促 to urge + 使 use = to prompt.
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How it is used
- To prompt/impel someone or something to act - 促使他改变主意 (cùshǐ tā gǎibiàn zhǔyi) prompted him to change his mind.
- Takes a person/thing plus the action it drives; the trigger is usually a circumstance or motive.
- Contrast 促进 (cùjìn, to promote/advance a cause) - 促使 pushes toward a specific action, 促进 fosters growth of an abstract thing.