🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "おす", "押す", "押し出す", "押し込む"

All represent the core concept "push", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

おす

おす (osu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

押す

おす (osu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

押し出す

おしだす (oshidasu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

押し込む

おしこむ (oshikomu)
N2 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "push" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "おす", "押す", "押し出す", "押し込む" based on context.
  • おす (おす (osu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to push" and is used when Refers to the physical act of pushing. Often seen on doors.
  • 押す (おす (osu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to push" and is used when Used for pushing objects, buttons, or crowds. 対義語は「引く」です。.
  • 押し出す (おしだす (oshidasu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to push out; to squeeze out" and is used when Often used for physically pushing something out of a confined space, or for a crowd pushing someone out. Can also mean to force something out..
  • 押し込む (おしこむ (oshikomu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to push into; to cram into; to force into" and is used when Involves putting something into a space that is often too small or already crowded, requiring force. Can be literal or sometimes metaphorical for ideas/information..
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "おす"
ドアを押してください。
Please push the door.
Context for "押す"
ドアをゆっくり押してください。
Please push the door slowly.
Context for "押し出す"
満員電車でドアから押し出されそうになった。
I was almost pushed out of the door on the crowded train.
Context for "押し込む"
満員電車に体を押し込んだ。
I crammed myself into the packed train.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "ドアを押してください。" (Meaning: "Please push the door.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "おす" is correct here because it represents "to push" in the context: "Please push the door.".

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