押さえ込む・抑え込む|おさえこむosaekomu[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
押さえ込む押さえ込む（おさえこむ） is the most common and most standard written form. It is a natural choice for describing pinning or holding someone down, though beginners are advised to use 抑え込む（おさえこむ）.
抑え込む抑え込む（おさえこむ） is less common than 押さえ込む（おさえこむ）, but it is the form beginners should use as their default for this word.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto pin (someone) down; to hold down; to immobilize; to immobiliseesp. 押さえ込む
- godan verb, transitive verbto shut out (one's opponent); to keep (the opposing team) from scoringesp. 抑え込む
- godan verb, transitive verbto suppress; to control; to check; to curb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 押さえ込む（おさえこむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 押さえ込みます（おさえこみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 押さえ込まない（おさえこまない） |
| polite (masen) | 押さえ込みません（おさえこみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 押さえ込まず・押さえ込まぬ（おさえこまず・おさえこまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 押さえ込んだ（おさえこんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 押さえ込みました（おさえこみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 押さえ込まなかった（おさえこまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 押さえ込みませんでした（おさえこみませんでした） |
| Te form | 押さえ込んで（おさえこんで） |
| Potential | 押さえ込める（おさえこめる） |
| Passive | 押さえ込まれる（おさえこまれる） |
| Causative | 押さえ込ませる（おさえこませる） |
| Causative passive | 押さえ込ませられる・押さえ込まされる（おさえこませられる・おさえこまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 押さえ込めば（おさえこめば） |
| tara | 押さえ込んだら（おさえこんだら） |
| Volitional | 押さえ込もう（おさえこもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 押さえ込みましょう（おさえこみましょう） |
| Imperative | 押さえ込め（おさえこめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym抑制よくせいNeutralRestraining or keeping something in check, as in 「インフレ抑制」; stresses holding the level or degree down.
- Synonym押さえるおさえるNeutralBasic verb for pressing or holding down, covering a body part, or seizing key points; without 「込む」 it lacks the sense of pinning down completely.
- Synonym押さえつけるおさえつけるNeutralFor pressing or holding down with force; stresses strong pressure. 「押さえ込む」 goes further, covering judo pinning holds and containing an outbreak.
- Related抑圧よくあつWrittenWritten/formal word for forcibly repressing speech, conduct or desires; also the psychology term 'repression'. Stresses oppression.
- Related封じるふうじるNeutralTo seal or block something, as in 「動きを封じる」; stresses leaving the opponent unable to act.
- Related固定こていNeutralFixing something in place or keeping it unchanged; stresses a fixed position or state, and is not used for subduing an opponent.
- Related弾圧だんあつWrittenWritten/formal word for crushing opposition with power, law or force; political in flavor. 「押さえ込む」 takes broader objects, from rivals to an epidemic.
- Related圧伏あっぷくWrittenRare written/formal word for overpowering someone by force; stresses forcing them into submission.
- Related圧抑あつよくWrittenRare written/formal word for forcible suppression; synonymous with 「抑圧」.
- Antonym放すはなすNeutralTo let go or release one's grip; the opposite of 「押さえ込む」 holding something down without letting go.
- Antonym解放するNeutralTo liberate or set free; the opposite of 「押さえ込む」, which holds the other party down.
Use 「押さえ込む」 to pin an opponent down firmly or to contain a situation completely, as in 「感染を押さえ込む」. For simply holding something down say 「押さえつける」, for political suppression 「弾圧」, for keeping something in check 「抑制」; the opposite is 「放す」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
