Translation guide
The English phrase "pin down" has several distinct meanings, from physically restraining someone to precisely identifying or confirming something. This guide breaks down the most common uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To hold someone firmly so they cannot move, often by force.
Literally 'press and hold down'. Commonly used for physically restraining someone.
彼は暴れる男を床に押さえつけた。
He pinned the struggling man down to the floor.
To seize and hold down, often used when subduing a criminal or suspect.
警察が容疑者を取り押さえた。
The police pinned down the suspect.
Literally 'make unable to move'. A more general way to describe immobilizing someone.
彼は相手を動けなくしてから逃げた。
He pinned down his opponent and then fled.
To pressure someone into committing to something or providing specific information.
To make something clear; often used when you want someone to clarify their stance or answer.
彼の意見をはっきりさせなければならない。
We need to pin down his opinion.
To make someone promise or commit. Useful when pinning down a commitment.
彼に来週までに返事をすると約束させた。
I pinned him down to a promise to reply by next week.
To corner someone, often used in a confrontational context. Can imply aggressive questioning.
To figure out the exact nature, cause, or details of something.
To identify or specify. The most direct equivalent for pinning down a fact, cause, or detail.
問題の原因を特定するのは難しい。
It's difficult to pin down the cause of the problem.
To track down or ascertain, often after investigation. Implies effort to find something elusive.
警察は犯人の居場所を突き止めた。
The police pinned down the culprit's location.
To grasp accurately. Used for understanding a situation or concept precisely.
彼の意図を正確に把握するのは難しい。
It's hard to pin down his intentions.
To fasten or hold something firmly so it doesn't move.
To fix or secure. General term for holding something in place.
テントを地面に固定するためにペグを使った。
We used pegs to pin down the tent.
To fasten or clip. Often used for smaller items like papers or hair.
風で飛ばないように書類を留めた。
I pinned down the papers so they wouldn't blow away.
The English phrase "pin down" is highly idiomatic. Directly translating it as ピンで留める (pin de tomeru) only works for the physical fastening sense. For other meanings, use the appropriate Japanese expressions listed above.
記者は大臣を追い詰めて真実を聞き出した。
The reporter pinned down the minister and got the truth.