Translation guide
To push or lean something against another surface, or to be in close contact with something.
To push or hold something firmly against another surface.
To press or push something against something else. Often implies applying pressure.
彼は壁に手を押し付けた。
He pressed his hand against the wall.
To press something against something else, often with a specific point of contact.
傷口にガーゼを押し当てた。
I pressed gauze against the wound.
To apply or place something against something else. Less forceful than 押し付ける.
耳に貝殻を当てた。
I pressed a seashell against my ear.
To lean or rest one's body or an object against a surface.
To lean against something for support. Often used for people.
彼は壁にもたれかかっていた。
He was leaning against the wall.
To lean against something, often implying reliance or resting weight.
To lean an object against something, like a ladder against a wall.
To be in close contact with something, often due to pressure or crowding.
Passive form of 押し付ける; to be pressed against something.
満員電車でドアに押し付けられた。
I was pressed against the door on the crowded train.
To be in close contact, adhere tightly. Often used for objects or body parts.
フィルムが画面に密着している。
The film is pressed tightly against the screen.
To stick to or be pressed against something, often casually.
To press a specific body part against a surface, often to see, hear, or feel.
To press one's face against something.
子供が窓に顔を押し付けていた。
The child was pressing his face against the window.
To press one's ear against something to listen.
ドアに耳を当てて話を聞いた。
I pressed my ear against the door and listened.
押し付ける implies pressing with force or holding against something, while 押し当てる often focuses on applying something to a specific point. 押し付ける can also mean 'to force' (an opinion, etc.) on someone.
スタンプを紙に押し当てる。
Press a stamp against paper.
彼は私に自分の考えを押し付けた。
He pressed his ideas on me.
Avoid directly translating 'press against' as 押す against something without a compound verb. 押す alone means 'push' and may not convey sustained contact. Use 押し付ける or similar compounds.
疲れてドアに寄りかかった。
Exhausted, I leaned against the door.
はしごを壁に立てかけた。
I leaned the ladder against the wall.
汗でシャツが背中にくっついた。
My shirt was pressed against my back with sweat.