Translation guide
The English word 'pressure' covers physical force, mental stress, and social coercion. Japanese uses different words for each, and some expressions are more natural than direct translations.
Feeling stressed, anxious, or under mental strain from expectations, responsibilities, or difficult situations.
Loanword from English, widely used for psychological pressure, especially in sports, work, or exams. Natural in casual and semi-formal contexts.
I always feel pressure before a match.
Literally 'pressure' as a force, but can be used metaphorically for social or psychological pressure. More formal and often implies external coercion.
Loanword for 'stress'. Often used interchangeably with 'pressure' when referring to mental strain. Very common.
Heavy pressure, intense burden. Often used for overwhelming expectations or responsibility. Somewhat literary or formal.
Continuous physical force applied to a surface or object, or the amount of force per unit area.
Influence from a group or society to behave in a certain way, often to avoid standing out.
A state of urgency or being forced to act quickly due to circumstances.
A pressing or urgent situation. Natural way to describe being under pressure to act.
To try to persuade or force someone to do something by applying influence or threats.
Most common way to say 'to put pressure on someone'. Casual and widely used.
The phrase 'under pressure' does not translate directly to 圧力の下で. Use expressions like プレッシャーの中で or 追い詰められて depending on context.
He does his best work under pressure.
プレッシャー is the default for psychological pressure in everyday speech. 圧力 is more formal and often implies external force or coercion. For physical pressure, always use 圧力.
He can't handle pressure well.
上司から圧力をかけられた。
I was pressured by my boss.
仕事のストレスで眠れない。
I can't sleep because of work pressure/stress.
期待の重圧に押しつぶされそうだ。
I feel crushed by the pressure of expectations.
Standard scientific/technical term for physical pressure (e.g., air pressure, water pressure). Also used in everyday contexts.
This container can withstand high pressure.
Please check the tire pressure.
Short form of 圧力, used in compounds like 気圧 (atmospheric pressure) or 血圧 (blood pressure). Not used alone as a noun.
My head hurts from changes in atmospheric pressure.
Literal 'pushing force'. Used when explaining physical pressure in simple terms, e.g., to children.
Please adjust the pressure of your finger.
Specifically 'peer pressure' or 'conformity pressure'. Widely understood term in Japanese society.
There is strong peer pressure in Japanese schools.
Literally 'the eyes of others'. Implies social pressure from what others think. Very common in everyday speech.
I worry too much about what others think (social pressure).
Appearances in society, what others think. Implies pressure to maintain a good reputation. Slightly formal.
Act under the pressure of keeping up appearances.
It's hard to stay calm under pressure.
To be cornered or driven into a corner. Implies intense pressure with no escape. Often used in dramatic contexts.
Under pressure, he finally confessed.
Literally 'no time to spare'. Describes time pressure specifically.
I get flustered because I'm under time pressure.
I pressured him to decide quickly.
More formal version, often used in business or political contexts.
They pressured the government to change its policy.
To coerce or force someone to do something. Stronger than 'pressure', implies compulsion.
He pressured me into lying.