Translation guide
The English word "pinch" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: physically squeezing something, a small amount of something, and the idiomatic "in a pinch" (emergency situation).
To squeeze a part of someone's body or something between your fingers, or to be squeezed by something like a door or tool.
The most common verb for pinching someone's skin, usually with fingers. Often used for playful or painful pinches.
My younger brother pinched my arm.
Ouch! Don't pinch me!
Means 'to pinch' or 'to get caught' when something is squeezed between two objects, like a door or a tool. Not used for pinching with fingers.
I pinched my finger in the door.
Please pinch the ice with tongs.
Means to pick up or hold something small with fingertips, like a pinch of salt. It's more about grasping delicately than squeezing painfully.
Add a pinch of salt.
He pinched a petal.
A very small quantity of something, especially a powder or granular substance.
Literally 'one pinch', this is the standard way to say 'a pinch' as a small amount, especially in cooking.
Add a pinch of sugar.
A more formal or general term for 'a small amount'. Not specifically 'a pinch', but can be used in similar contexts.
In an emergency or when no other option is available; as a last resort.
Means 'in an emergency' or 'when it comes down to it'. Commonly used for 'in a pinch' situations.
In a pinch, use this.
A more formal term for 'emergency'. Can be used in written instructions or official contexts.
Literally 'if something happens', used for hypothetical emergencies or contingencies.
つねる is only for pinching skin. For pinching an object between two surfaces, use 挟む (はさむ). For picking up something small with fingertips, use つまむ.
少量の塩で味を調えます。
Season with a pinch of salt.
緊急時にはこのボタンを押してください。
In a pinch, press this button.
In a pinch, call this number.