Translation guide
Describes behavior that is forceful, assertive, or insistent in a way that may be seen as rude or overbearing. Japanese expressions vary by degree of forcefulness, social context, and whether the behavior is verbal or physical.
To describe someone who pushes their own opinions, demands, or desires strongly, often disregarding others' feelings or social norms.
He's pushy in sales.
That person is so pushy, it's hard to say no.
Means 'forceful' or 'pushy', often implying that someone ignores others' wishes or uses pressure to get their way. Slightly more negative than 押しが強い.
His sales pitch was pushy.
Please don't push the conversation forward so forcefully.
Means 'shameless' or 'impudent', often used for someone who is pushy in a brazen, thick-skinned way. Strongly negative.
This might be a pushy request, but...
Colloquial phrase meaning 'comes on strong' or 'is pushy', often used in romantic or social contexts where someone is aggressively pursuing another person.
He's really pushy about asking me out.
Similar to 図々しい, meaning 'impudent' or 'cheeky'. Often used for pushy behavior that oversteps social boundaries.
I'm sorry for this pushy request.
To describe someone who physically pushes or crowds others, e.g., in a line or crowded space.
押しが強い can be neutral or even positive when describing assertiveness, while 強引 is almost always negative, implying coercion or disregard for others.
He's pushy but not unpleasant.
Pushy methods are counterproductive.
Do not directly translate 'pushy' as 押す (to push) in most contexts. Use the idiomatic expressions above instead.
She had the nerve to push in line.
Please don't push into the line.