Translation guide
How to express 'push aside' in Japanese, covering physical pushing, metaphorical dismissal, and emotional suppression.
To use force to move an object or person to the side, often to clear a path.
The most common and natural verb for physically pushing something or someone aside with your hands or body.
彼は人混みを押しのけて前に進んだ。
He pushed aside the crowd and moved forward.
机の上の本を押しのけて、ノートパソコンを置いた。
I pushed aside the books on the desk and put my laptop down.
A casual verb meaning to move something out of the way, often by pushing or shoving. Less forceful than 押しのける.
その椅子をどけてくれる？
Can you push that chair aside?
To push something away or aside, often with a sense of brushing off or rejecting. Can be used physically but also metaphorically.
彼は書類を押しやって、ため息をついた。
He pushed the documents aside and sighed.
To reject, disregard, or treat as unimportant, often in social or professional contexts.
To dismiss, reject, or push aside an idea, proposal, or person. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼の提案は会議で退けられた。
His proposal was pushed aside at the meeting.
反対意見を退けて、計画を進めた。
They pushed aside opposing opinions and proceeded with the plan.
To ignore or disregard someone or something. A common and straightforward way to express pushing aside in a social sense.
彼は私の忠告を無視した。
He pushed aside my advice.
Literally 'put aside', used metaphorically to set aside an issue or emotion temporarily.
個人的な感情は脇に置いて、仕事に集中しよう。
Let's push aside personal feelings and focus on work.
To force unpleasant feelings or memories out of conscious thought.
To suppress or stifle emotions, such as anger or laughter. Implies forcefully pushing them down.
彼女は怒りを押し殺して、冷静に話した。
She pushed aside her anger and spoke calmly.
To suppress, control, or hold back emotions. A general term for keeping feelings in check.
Literally 'to drive into a corner of one's heart', meaning to push aside thoughts or memories so they don't bother you.
嫌な記憶を心の隅に追いやった。
I pushed the unpleasant memories aside.
The English phrase 'push aside' is often used metaphorically. Direct translations like '横に押す' (yoko ni osu) are unnatural in Japanese. Use the context-appropriate verbs above.
不安を抑えて、面接に臨んだ。
I pushed aside my anxiety and went into the interview.