Japanese word

押さえる

Pronunciation

Romajiosaeru

Meaning

  • verbhold down

Example

紙を手で押さえます。kami o te de o sa e ma su

I hold the paper down with my hand.

Illustration for 押さえる (hold down)

More examples

紙が飛ばないように石で押さえます。kami ga to ba na i yō ni ishi de o sa e ma su

I hold the paper down with a stone so it does not blow away.

紙が飛ばないように、石で押さえます。kami ga to ba na i yō ni ishi de o sa e ma su

I hold the paper down with a stone so it does not blow away.

Core concept

It describes preventing movement by pressing something firmly against a surface or in place.

Common phrases

  • ふたを押さえるfu ta o o sa e ru

    hold down the lid

  • 紙を押さえるkami o o sa e ru

    hold down the paper

  • しっかり押さえるshi kka ri o sa e ru

    hold down firmly

Similar words

押し付けるoshitsukeru: To press an object firmly against another surface or object.
押さえ込むosaekomu: To hold something down firmly so that it cannot move freely.

Definition in Japanese

手や物で上から押し、対象が動かない状態にする。te ya mono de ue ka ra o shi tai shō ga ugo ka na i jō tai ni su ru

Word origin

The native verb 押さえる (osaeru, "to hold down") has the older form 押さふ (osafu, "to hold down"); its relation to 押す (osu, "to press") is semantic rather than a confirmed suffixal derivation.

Usage tips

  • The homophones 押さえる (osaeru) and 抑える (osaeru) are distinguished in writing because the first concerns physical pressure and the second concerns control or restraint.

Opposites

Related words

  • 押さえ方osaekataway of holding downnoun

Word lists with this word