Translation guide
The English phrase "holding back" can refer to physically restraining something, suppressing emotions or actions, or refraining from doing something. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on the nuance.
To physically hold something or someone back from moving forward
General verb for holding back, suppressing, or restraining something physically or abstractly.
He held back his anger.
It was difficult to hold back the crowd.
Often interchangeable with 抑える, but can imply physically pressing down or holding something in place.
He held the dog back.
To physically hold someone back from leaving, or to detain them.
She held him back by the arm.
To control or not show feelings like anger, tears, laughter
To endure or hold back something like tears, laughter, or anger with effort.
She held back her tears.
Also used for suppressing emotions, similar to こらえる but slightly more formal.
To endure or put up with something, often used for holding back desires or impulses.
I held back my desire to eat.
To not do something you want to do, or to hesitate
To refrain from doing something, often out of consideration or self-restraint.
Please hold back your comments.
To hold back out of politeness or modesty; to refrain from imposing.
Don't hold back, please eat more.
To hold back one's full strength or ability, often in a competitive context.
To pause or not act due to uncertainty or reluctance
抑える (おさえる) is a general verb for holding back or suppressing something, both physical and emotional. こらえる is specifically for enduring or holding back emotional expressions like tears or laughter. 控える (ひかえる) is used when you refrain from an action out of consideration or self-restraint.
Do not literally translate 'hold back' as 持って戻る or similar. The appropriate Japanese verb depends on what is being held back.
I was desperate to hold back my laughter.
怒りを抑えられなかった。
I couldn't hold back my anger.
He is holding back on alcohol.
I held back because my opponent was a beginner.