Translation guide
The English word "crush" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: romantic infatuation, physically crushing something, defeating decisively, and a crowd of people. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
Expressing that you have a crush on someone, or talking about a crush in a romantic sense.
A natural, indirect way to say you have a crush on someone. Literally means 'there is a person I like'. Commonly used by all ages.
Actually, I have a crush on someone.
Means 'unrequited love' or 'one-sided love'. Often used to describe a crush that may not be reciprocated. Can be used as a noun or with する.
I have a crush on him. (unrequited)
Means 'admiration' or 'longing'. Used for a crush that is more about admiration, often for someone out of reach like a celebrity or senior.
I have a crush on my senior. (admiration)
Means 'there is someone I'm curious about' or 'someone on my mind'. A softer, more casual way to hint at a crush without directly saying 'like'.
Recently, I've developed a crush on someone.
Means 'love', but can be used in contexts like 'first love' or 'puppy love'. Not typically used alone to say 'I have a crush'.
That's just a crush.
To press or squeeze something so hard that it breaks or loses its shape.
Transitive verb meaning to crush, smash, or squash something. Used for cans, fruits, etc.
I crushed the empty can and put it out for recycling.
Intransitive verb meaning to be crushed, squashed, or flattened. Used when something gets crushed by itself or by an unspecified force.
Means to break into pieces, crush, or shatter. Used for harder materials like ice, rocks, or bones.
Compound verb meaning to crush by pressing. Emphasizes the action of pressing down.
Formal/technical term meaning to pulverize or crush into powder. Used in industrial or scientific contexts.
The machine crushes rocks into powder.
To defeat an opponent completely or overwhelmingly, often in sports, games, or competition.
Means to defeat or beat decisively. Can be used in sports, battles, or arguments.
We completely crushed the enemy.
Means to win a crushing victory. Often used in elections or sports when the margin is huge.
That team crushed their opponents.
Casual phrase meaning to make someone lose badly. 'ボロ負け' means 'crushing defeat'.
I crushed him (in a game).
Metaphorical use of 'pulverize' to mean completely destroy an opponent. Sounds dramatic.
We crushed the enemy.
A large, dense crowd of people pressed closely together.
Standard word for a crowd of people, especially in busy places like stations or events.
I got caught in a crush of people.
Refers to a bustling crowd or throng, often with a nuance of noise and chaos. Slightly more formal/literary.
Means a crowd or multitude. Can be used for large gatherings, but less about physical pressing.
The loanword クラッシュ (kurasshu) is used for physical crashing (like a car crash) or computer crashes, but not for romantic feelings. Using it for a crush on someone will cause confusion.
潰す (つぶす) is for crushing something soft or hollow into a flattened shape (cans, boxes, fruits). 砕く (くだく) is for breaking something hard into pieces (ice, rocks, bones). Choose based on the material and result.
箱が潰れていた。
The box was crushed.
氷を砕いてかき氷を作った。
I crushed ice and made shaved ice.
The heavy stone crushed the flowers.
雑踏の中で友人を見失った。
I lost my friend in the crush of the crowd.
群衆が出口に殺到した。
The crowd crushed toward the exit.
Describes a situation where people are pushing and shoving each other, like in a packed train. Literally 'pushing and crushing each other'.
The packed train is a crush of people.