Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Push" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "push", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
押す
おす (osu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
撥ね退ける
はねのける (hanenokeru)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "push" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 押す and 撥ね退ける.
In Japanese, 押す (おす (osu)) is typically associated with "to push" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Used for pushing objects, buttons, or crowds. 対義語は「引く」です。.
On the other hand, 撥ね退ける (はねのける (hanenokeru)) maps to "to push aside, to repel, to brush off (an attack, an obstacle, a suggestion)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Implying using force or strong will to remove an obstacle or reject something unwelcome. Can be physical. A literal translation of "push" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "押す"
ドアをゆっくり押してください。
Please push the door slowly.
Bilingual Context for "撥ね退ける"
彼は困難な状況を撥ね退けて、成功を収めた。
He pushed aside the difficult situation and achieved success.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ドアをゆっくり押してください。" (Meaning: "Please push the door slowly.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "押す" fits here because it means "to push" in the context of: "Please push the door slowly.". "撥ね退ける" represents "to push aside, to repel, to brush off (an attack, an obstacle, a suggestion)".