Translation guide
To defeat or overcome someone or something through superior strength, force, or intensity. This guide covers physical overpowering, emotional overwhelming, and figurative dominance.
To use physical strength or force to overcome an opponent.
To overwhelm or overpower someone physically, often implying a clear difference in strength.
彼は相手を圧倒した。
He overpowered his opponent.
To subdue or bring under control, often used in military or police contexts.
警察が暴徒を制圧した。
The police overpowered the rioters.
To defeat or beat someone in a fight, emphasizing victory.
彼は強敵を打ち負かした。
He overpowered a strong enemy.
To pin down or force into submission, literally 'twist and hold down'. More vivid and physical.
彼は相手をねじ伏せた。
He overpowered and pinned his opponent.
To be overcome by a strong feeling, smell, taste, or sensation.
Passive form of 圧倒する; to be overwhelmed or overpowered by something. Very common for emotions or sensations.
その景色に圧倒された。
I was overpowered by the scenery.
彼の情熱に圧倒された。
I was overpowered by his passion.
To be emotionally crushed or devastated; stronger than 圧倒される, often negative.
その知らせに打ちのめされた。
I was overpowered by the news.
To be overpowered by a strong smell, often causing choking or gagging.
To win against an opponent easily or by a large margin in sports, games, or debates.
To win a crushing victory; to overpower the opposition completely.
我がチームは圧勝した。
Our team overpowered the opponents.
Same as physical overpowering, but also used for overwhelming in competition.
彼は議論で相手を圧倒した。
He overpowered his opponent in the debate.
To defeat easily, literally 'kick away'; implies brushing aside the opponent.
強豪を一蹴した。
They overpowered the strong team.
圧倒する is more about overwhelming with force or presence, while 制圧する implies bringing under control, often by authority. Use 制圧する for police/military subduing, and 圧倒する for general overpowering.
敵を圧倒した。
Overpowered the enemy (in battle).
テロリストを制圧した。
Subdued the terrorists.
Directly translating 'overpower' as 力で勝つ (win by strength) is unnatural. Use the appropriate verb based on context: 圧倒する for overwhelming, 制圧する for subduing, etc.
花の香りにむせ返った。
I was overpowered by the scent of flowers.