Translation guide
How to express 'cram' in Japanese, covering physical stuffing, overfilling spaces, and intensive last-minute studying.
To push or pack something tightly into a container or space, often with effort.
The most common and versatile verb for cramming things into a space. Can be used for physical objects, people, or abstract things like schedules.
To fill a room, vehicle, or area with so many people or items that it becomes crowded.
To learn a lot of information quickly, especially for an exam.
詰め込む focuses on packing tightly, while 押し込む emphasizes the pushing force. 詰め込む is more common for general cramming.
服をスーツケースに詰め込む。
Cram clothes into a suitcase (focus on packing).
服をスーツケースに押し込む。
Force clothes into a suitcase (focus on pushing).
Do not use 詰め込む alone to mean 'cram for an exam'. Use 詰め込み勉強 or 一夜漬け instead.
I crammed clothes into the suitcase.
彼は口にパンを詰め込んだ。
He crammed bread into his mouth.
Emphasizes the pushing action. Often used when forcing something into a space that is too small.
本をカバンに押し込んだ。
I crammed the books into my bag.
To pack tightly or fill up. Often used for packing items neatly or filling a container to capacity.
弁当箱にご飯を詰める。
I pack rice tightly into the lunch box.
Used when many people cram into a place, often for an event. Implies a crowd gathering.
ファンが会場に詰めかけた。
Fans crammed into the venue.
A noun/na-adjective describing a state of being jam-packed. Often used for crowded trains or rooms.
電車はぎゅうぎゅう詰めだった。
The train was crammed full.
Literally 'packed like sushi', meaning extremely crowded, often used for trains or small spaces.
通勤電車はすし詰め状態だ。
The commuter train is crammed like sardines.
The standard term for cramming for exams. Often used as a noun or with する.
試験前に詰め込み勉強をした。
I crammed for the exam.
Literally 'overnight pickling', meaning last-minute cramming the night before. Very common idiom.
一夜漬けで試験に臨んだ。
I crammed the night before the exam.
Slang for studying hard or cramming, often with a nuance of grinding. Can be used as a noun or verb with する.
彼は試験前、がり勉している。
He's cramming before the exam.