Translation guide
The English verb "repress" has two main meanings: to suppress a feeling or desire, and to use force to control a group of people. The Japanese expressions differ significantly between these meanings.
To hold back an emotion, urge, or thought, often unconsciously.
To subdue or put down a rebellion, dissent, or political movement by force.
Standard term for political or military repression, often by authorities.
General verb meaning to suppress, restrain, or hold back. Can be used for emotions, desires, and physical actions.
I struggled to repress my anger.
He couldn't repress his laughter.
Stronger, more formal term often used in psychology for repression of memories or deep-seated emotions.
She is repressing painful memories.
Literally 'push and kill', used for forcefully suppressing emotions or voice, often with a nuance of enduring.
He spoke while repressing his emotions.
To hold down or suppress strongly, often with a physical or forceful nuance. Can be used for emotions but less common.
I tried to repress my anxiety.
The government repressed the opposition.
Freedom of speech was repressed.
To suppress or quell a riot, uprising, or disturbance, often by police or military force.
The police repressed the riot.
Can also be used for political repression, but less common than 弾圧. Often implies systematic oppression.
Minorities are being repressed.
She is repressing childhood memories.
抑える means to hold back or restrain, not to violently suppress a group. For political repression, use 弾圧する or 鎮圧する.