Translation guide
The English word 'squash' has several distinct meanings: to crush or flatten something, to suppress or put an end to something, a type of vegetable, a sport, and a crowded situation. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To press or squeeze something so that it becomes flat, soft, or damaged.
The most common and versatile verb for crushing, smashing, or flattening something. Transitive.
To crush by pressing down. Emphasizes the action of pressing.
空き缶を押し潰す
squash an empty can
To crush by stepping on. Used when the crushing is done with feet.
虫を踏み潰す
squash a bug
Colloquial phrase meaning to flatten something completely. Often used for things like boxes or cans.
段ボールをぺちゃんこにする
squash the cardboard flat
To forcefully stop something such as a rumor, rebellion, or idea.
To suppress or quell a rebellion, riot, or uprising. Formal and often used in news.
反乱を鎮圧する
squash a rebellion
To hush up or cover up a scandal, rumor, or incident. Often used in media contexts.
スキャンダルをもみ消す
squash a scandal
To suppress or hold back feelings, laughter, etc. Can also mean to control or restrain.
Literally 'to pick the buds', meaning to nip something in the bud; to squash a problem before it grows.
問題の芽を摘む
squash the problem early
Refers to the edible fruit of plants in the gourd family, such as pumpkin, zucchini, etc.
General term for pumpkin/squash. In Japan, it usually refers to the green-skinned kabocha squash.
カボチャの煮物
simmered squash
Zucchini. Commonly used in Japanese cooking as a Western vegetable.
Loofah or sponge gourd. Not commonly eaten but known as a plant.
ヘチマのたわし
loofah scrubber
A racket sport played in a four-walled court.
A situation where many people or things are squeezed into a small space.
Packed like sardines; extremely crowded. Often used for trains or small rooms.
電車がぎゅうぎゅう詰めだ
The train is absolutely packed (squashed).
Full to capacity; crowded. More formal than ぎゅうぎゅう詰め.
While 潰す can mean 'to crush' physically, it is not used for suppressing rebellions or scandals. Use 鎮圧する or もみ消す instead.
潰す is the general term for crushing. 押し潰す specifies crushing by pressing, and 踏み潰す specifies crushing by stepping. Choose based on the method of crushing.
笑いを抑える
squash a laugh
ズッキーニを炒める
stir-fry squash (zucchini)
満員電車
packed train (squashed train)