Translation guide
The English verb "wring" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: twisting to remove liquid, squeezing hands in distress, extracting information or concessions, and causing emotional pain.
To twist and squeeze something wet to force water out.
The most common and general verb for wringing out liquid from cloth, towels, etc.
タオルを絞って干した。
I wrung out the towel and hung it up.
Emphasizes the action of squeezing something out, often used for extracting liquid or paste from a container.
チューブから歯磨き粉を絞り出した。
I squeezed toothpaste out of the tube.
Often used for pressing or squeezing fruits, vegetables, or other materials to extract juice or oil. Can also be used metaphorically.
レモンを搾ってレモネードを作った。
I squeezed lemons to make lemonade.
To twist and squeeze one's hands together, often from anxiety or grief.
Literally 'wring one's hands', used to describe the gesture of anxiety or despair.
彼女は心配で手を絞っていた。
She was wringing her hands with worry.
A more emphatic version, implying intense wringing or rubbing of hands.
彼は手をもみしぼりながら部屋の中を歩き回った。
He paced the room, wringing his hands.
To force someone to give information, money, or a confession through pressure.
Metaphorically 'squeeze out' information, a confession, or money from someone.
警察は容疑者から自白を絞り出そうとした。
The police tried to wring a confession out of the suspect.
To draw out or extract information, often through skillful questioning.
To compel or force someone to do something, including giving up information or money. Stronger and more formal.
彼らは脅して金を強要した。
They wrung money from him by threatening him.
To cause great emotional distress, as if twisting the heart.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'one's heart is wrung' or 'one feels a tightness in the chest' from sadness or sympathy.
その話を聞いて胸が締め付けられた。
The story wrung my heart.
Literally 'wring the heart', used to describe something emotionally wrenching.
彼女の悲しみは見る者の心を絞った。
Her grief wrung the hearts of those who saw her.
Both are read しぼる. 絞る is the general term for wringing or squeezing (towels, clothes, etc.), while 搾る is more specific to extracting juice or oil from fruits, seeds, etc. In many contexts, 絞る is acceptable for both.
The phrase '手を絞る' is understood but less common than describing the action or emotion. Often, Japanese expresses the feeling directly (e.g., 心配そうに手をこすり合わせる 'rub one's hands together anxiously').
He wrung the secret out of her with clever questions.