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.
ボタンを押してください。
Please press the button.
I push the door open.
To push something into a tight space or press it in firmly.
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.
Please press down on the paper with your hand so it doesn't fly away.
To apply physical pressure, often in a medical or technical context. Can also mean to oppress or put psychological pressure on someone.
Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding.
To use a heated iron to remove wrinkles from fabric.
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.
Press for a reply.
To strongly request or demand something. A more direct phrase.
He pressed for an explanation.
Refers to newspapers, journalists, and news media collectively.
Formal term for the press or news media as an institution.
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).
A machine used for printing books, newspapers, etc.
A large group of people pushing closely together.
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.
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.
Push a button vs hold down paper
medicine to suppress pain
マスコミの注目を集める。
Attract press attention.
Distribute a press release.
群衆が出口に殺到した。
The crowd pressed toward the exit.