Translation guide
The English phrase 'be pressed' can refer to physical pressure, time pressure, or being in a difficult situation. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
To be compressed or pressured, often used for physical pressure on the body or in medical contexts.
胸が圧迫される感じがする。
I feel like my chest is being pressed.
To be caught or pressed between two things.
ドアに指を挟まれた。
My finger got pressed in the door.
To be pressed for time or under deadline pressure.
Literally 'chased by time', meaning to be pressed for time or busy.
いつも時間に追われている。
I'm always pressed for time.
Simple and common way to say you don't have time, implying being pressed.
時間がなくて、昼食を抜いた。
I was pressed for time, so I skipped lunch.
To be in a tight spot, especially financially.
To be in financial difficulty, pressed for money.
彼はいつも金に困っている。
He is always pressed for money.
To be tight or strained, often used for financial situations or resources.
財政が逼迫している。
Finances are pressed.
To be pressed against a surface or person.
To be pressed against something, often with force.
壁に押し付けられた。
I was pressed against the wall.
To be in close contact, pressed together. Can be physical or metaphorical.
電車で人と密着した。
I was pressed against people on the train.
Directly translating 'be pressed' as '押される' (osareru) only works for physical pressure. For time or financial pressure, use idiomatic expressions like '時間に追われる' or '金に困る'.
To be at one's wit's end, pressed by a deadline or urgent situation. Stronger nuance.
締め切りに切羽詰まっている。
I'm pressed by the deadline.