押さえる・押える|おさえるosaeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
押さえる押さえる（おさえる） is the most common written form. It is the form learners should normally choose when writing this word.
押える押える（おさえる） is less common than 押さえる（おさえる）. It is a less common variant, so learners should use 押さえる（おさえる） by default.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto pin down; to hold down; to press down; to hold in place; to hold steadyalso written as 圧さえる
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto cover (esp. a part of one's body with one's hand); to clutch (a body part in pain); to press (a body part)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto get a hold of; to obtain; to seize; to catch; to arrest
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto grasp (a point); to comprehend
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto reserve (time, space, or availability); to hold; to block off (a schedule); to secure; to pin down (a date)
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto quell; to subdue; to suppress; to repress; to hold back; to check; to curb; to contain
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 押さえる（おさえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 押さえます（おさえます） |
| Negative (nai) | 押さえない（おさえない） |
| polite (masen) | 押さえません（おさえません） |
| classical zu / nu | 押さえず・押さえぬ（おさえず・おさえぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 押さえた（おさえた） |
| polite (mashita) | 押さえました（おさえました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 押さえなかった（おさえなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 押さえませんでした（おさえませんでした） |
| Te form | 押さえて（おさえて） |
| Potential | 押さえられる（おさえられる） |
| Passive | 押さえられる（おさえられる） |
| Causative | 押さえさせる（おさえさせる） |
| Causative passive | 押さえさせられる（おさえさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 押さえれば（おさえれば） |
| tara | 押さえたら（おさえたら） |
| Volitional | 押さえよう（おさえよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 押さえましょう（おさえましょう） |
| Imperative | 押さえろ（おさえろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym押さえ込むおさえこむNeutralHolds someone down so they cannot move; also used for shutting out an opponent's scoring or containing an outbreak. More thorough than 「押さえる」.
- Synonym抑えるおさえるNeutralHomophone mostly for curbing emotions, spending or opponents; it can also mean holding something still. 「押さえる」 leans toward pressing down, covering or grasping the point.
- Synonym押さえつけるおさえつけるNeutralPresses down hard to pin something; also suppresses opposition or feelings. 「押さえる」 is broader, also covering or clutching a body part and grasping the main point.
- Related制御せいぎょNeutralControls a machine or device, or keeps emotions in check, with an eye on steady regulation. 「押さえる」 leans toward physically holding down or grasping key points.
- Related食い止めるくいとめるNeutralStops a bad situation from spreading or getting worse, as in 「被害を食い止める」. The point is keeping things from deteriorating further.
- Related差し押さえるさしおさえるNeutralLegal term for seizing or impounding property. Close to the seizure sense of 「押さえる」.
- Related限るかぎるNeutralRestricts or limits something to a certain scope. Close to 「押さえる」 in its sense of keeping things under control.
- Related限定げんていNeutralLimits quantity or range by drawing a clear boundary, as in 「限定商品」. The emphasis is on setting the limits themselves.
- Related抑止よくしNeutralDeters or holds an action in check, as in 「核抑止力」; tends to written style. 「押さえる」 is the more everyday word.
- Related阻むはばむNeutralBlocks someone's way forward, as in 「行く手を阻む」. The image is barring the path rather than pressing down.
- Related封じるふうじるNeutralSeals or blocks something off so it cannot act, as in 「動きを封じる」. The point is leaving the other side no room to move.
- Related制限せいげんNeutralA noun for a restriction or limit, as in 「年齢制限」. 「押さえる」 names the act of holding something down or in check.
- Related弾圧だんあつNeutralCrushes opposition through official power or force, as in 「言論弾圧」. 「押さえる」 is the more neutral word.
- Related制するせいするWrittenWritten word for controlling or reining in, and for winning, as in 「試合を制する」.
- Related抑圧よくあつNeutralOppression or repression imposed by force, as in 「抑圧された感情」; it carries a coercive edge, whereas 「押さえる」 is the more neutral word.
- Related押収おうしゅうNeutralLegal term for a court or investigative body seizing evidence under due process. Matches the seizure sense of 「押さえる」 but only in judicial settings.
- Related防ぐふせぐNeutralPrevents something undesirable from happening in the first place, as in 「事故を防ぐ」. The focus is on acting before it occurs.
- Related妨げるさまたげるNeutralHinders or obstructs something in progress, as in 「睡眠を妨げる」. The nuance is interference with an ongoing process.
- Related留めるとどめるWrittenWritten word for stopping something or keeping it in place; can also mean confining it to a certain range.
- Related制約せいやくNeutralA noun for a limiting condition or constraint, as in 「時間の制約」.
- Related押しとどめるおしとどめるWrittenWritten word for stopping or holding someone back; in everyday speech 「止める」 is the usual choice.
- Related差し止めるさしとめるNeutralOrders that something be stopped, as in 「出版を差し止める」; mostly legal or administrative contexts.
- Relatedせき止めるせきとめるNeutralDams up water or halts the course of events, as in 「川をせき止める」.
- Antonym放すはなすNeutralThe action opposite to 「押さえる」: letting go of what you are holding.
- Antonym離すはなすNeutralAlso opposite to 「押さえる」 in action: creating distance by separating what was held.
- Antonym解放するNeutralOpposite to 「押さえる」 in terms of restraint: releasing or setting free from control.
Use 「押さえる」 for pressing or covering with the hand and for grasping the main point; when curbing emotions or spending, it is usually written 「抑える」. 「押さえつける」 adds force — pinning hard or crushing opposition; 「押さえ込む」 is even more thorough. 「食い止める」 stops a bad situation from spreading. For legal seizure use 「差し押さえる」 or 「押収」; to block a way, 「阻む」; to prevent beforehand, 「防ぐ」. Antonyms: 「放す」, 「離す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
