Translation guide
The English word 'pushing' can refer to physically moving something away, applying pressure, promoting an idea, or being persistent. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents organized by meaning.
To apply force to move an object away from oneself, such as a door, button, or heavy item.
General verb for pushing something with your hand or body. Used for buttons, doors, carts, etc.
Please push the door.
彼は車を押した。
He pushed the car.
To push something into a confined space, like stuffing or cramming.
服をカバンに押し込んだ。
I pushed the clothes into the bag.
To push something aside or away, often with a sense of discarding or moving out of the way.
彼は書類を押しやった。
He pushed the papers aside.
To exert steady force on a surface, like pressing a button or squeezing.
Also used for pressing buttons, stamps, or applying pressure.
ボタンを押してください。
Please press the button.
スタンプを押す。
To press a stamp.
To apply physical pressure, often in medical or technical contexts. Can also mean oppression.
傷口を圧迫してください。
Apply pressure to the wound.
To actively support or campaign for a cause, plan, or product.
To promote or drive forward a policy, project, or movement. Common in business and politics.
政府は改革を推進している。
The government is pushing reforms.
To push forward with a plan or agenda, often with determination.
彼は自分の意見を押し進めた。
He pushed his opinion forward.
To push a product or idea aggressively, like marketing or self-promotion.
To insist on something or push someone to do something, often in a social context.
To force one's opinions, work, or presence onto someone. Often negative.
彼は自分の考えを押し付ける。
He pushes his ideas on others.
To push something through forcefully, ignoring opposition.
彼は強引に話を進めた。
He pushed the conversation forward forcefully.
To pester or push someone persistently for something, like a child asking for a toy.
To trigger a reaction or provoke someone emotionally.
Literally 'push a button', but used figuratively for triggering a response.
彼は私の怒りのボタンを押した。
He pushed my anger button.
To provoke or push someone's buttons deliberately.
彼は私を挑発した。
He pushed my buttons.
Using 押す (osu) for promoting an idea sounds unnatural. Use 推進する (suishin suru) or 押し進める (oshisusumeru) instead.
新しい政策を推進する。
To push a new policy.
押す is general pushing. 押し込む means pushing into a tight space. 押し付ける implies forcing something onto someone, often negatively.
新製品を売り込んでいる。
They are pushing the new product.
The child kept pushing to buy a toy.