Translation guide
The English word 'press' has many meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: pushing something, ironing clothes, urging someone, and media/news. It also includes related noun uses like a printing press or a crowd.
To apply steady force with a finger or hand, typically to activate something.
General verb for pushing or pressing something. Can be used for buttons, switches, doors, etc.
Please press the button.
ドアを押して開けます。
I push the door open.
To push something into a tight space or press it in firmly.
荷物をカバンに押し込んだ。
I pressed the luggage into the bag.
To push something firmly against a surface, often with weight.
To hold down or press something to keep it in place. Also used for suppressing emotions or controlling a situation.
紙が飛ばないように手で押さえてください。
Please press down on the paper with your hand so it doesn't fly away.
痛みを押さえる薬
medicine to suppress pain
To apply physical pressure, often in a medical or technical context. Can also mean to oppress or put psychological pressure on someone.
傷口を圧迫して止血する。
Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding.
To use a heated iron to remove wrinkles from fabric.
The standard phrase for ironing clothes. Literally 'apply an iron'.
シャツにアイロンをかける。
I iron a shirt.
このスカートはアイロンをかける必要があります。
This skirt needs to be pressed.
Loanword from English, used especially in professional or fashion contexts (e.g., dry cleaning).
スーツをプレスしてもらえますか？
Can you press this suit?
To strongly encourage or demand action from someone.
To press someone for an answer, decision, or action. Can imply urgency or insistence.
To press someone for payment, a reply, or completion of a task. Often used for reminders.
返事を催促する。
Press for a reply.
To strongly request or demand something. A more direct phrase.
彼は説明を強く求めた。
He pressed for an explanation.
Refers to newspapers, journalists, and news media collectively.
Formal term for the press or news media as an institution.
報道機関は事件を大きく取り上げた。
The press covered the incident extensively.
Common abbreviation for mass communication, often used to refer to the media/press in everyday conversation.
Loanword used in compounds like プレスリリース (press release) or プレス向け (for the press).
プレスリリースを配信する。
Distribute a press release.
A machine used for printing books, newspapers, etc.
General term for a printing press or printing machine.
新しい印刷機を導入した。
We introduced a new printing press.
Loanword used for various pressing machines, including printing presses and industrial presses.
プレス機で金属を成形する。
Shape metal with a press machine.
A large group of people pushing closely together.
Crowd of people, often implying a bustling, pressing mass.
人混みをかき分けて進む。
Push through the press of people.
A large crowd or multitude, slightly more formal.
While 押す means 'push/press', it is not used for ironing clothes. Use アイロンをかける or プレスする instead.
✕ 服を押す
Incorrect for 'press clothes'
押す (osu) is a simple push or press (like a button). 押さえる (osaeru) means to press and hold down, or to suppress. Use 押さえる when you need to keep something in place or control it.
ボタンを押す (push button) vs 紙を押さえる (hold paper down)
Push a button vs hold down paper
マスコミの注目を集める。
Attract press attention.
群衆が出口に殺到した。
The crowd pressed toward the exit.