Translation guide
How to express 'put pressure on' in Japanese, covering physical pressure, psychological pressure, and social pressure.
To pressure someone to do something, or to put them under mental or emotional strain.
A common and natural way to say 'put pressure on' someone psychologically. Often used in work, school, or sports contexts.
His boss put pressure on him.
Literally 'apply pressure'. Can be used for both physical and psychological pressure, but in psychological contexts it often sounds more formal or serious.
The government put pressure on companies.
Means 'to corner' or 'to drive someone into a corner'. Implies putting so much pressure that the person has no way out.
I put pressure on him with questions (cornered him).
To pester or nag someone to do something, often used when children pressure parents.
The child put pressure on me to buy a toy (pestered me).
To apply physical force or weight onto something.
To apply aggressive pressure on an opponent in a game or match.
Used in sports to mean putting psychological or tactical pressure on the opponent.
Put pressure on the opposing team.
To attack relentlessly, putting continuous pressure on the opponent.
プレッシャーをかける is the most common and natural way to express psychological pressure in everyday conversation. 圧力をかける can also be used, but it often carries a more formal or forceful nuance, and is more common for physical pressure or official pressure (e.g., political).
My friend put pressure on me.
The union put pressure on the company.
Please put pressure on the button (push the button).
We put pressure on them in the final stages of the game.