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.
squash a box
squash garlic
To crush by pressing down. Emphasizes the action of pressing.
squash an empty can
To crush by stepping on. Used when the crushing is done with feet.
squash a bug
Colloquial phrase meaning to flatten something completely. Often used for things like boxes or cans.
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.
squash a rebellion
To hush up or cover up a scandal, rumor, or incident. Often used in media contexts.
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.
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.
simmered squash
Zucchini. Commonly used in Japanese cooking as a Western vegetable.
Loofah or sponge gourd. Not commonly eaten but known as a plant.
A racket sport played in a four-walled court.
A situation where many people or things are squeezed into a small space.
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.
スキャンダルをもみ消す
squash a scandal
笑いを抑える
squash a laugh
squash the problem early
stir-fry squash (zucchini)
loofah scrubber
満員電車
packed train (squashed train)