What is the difference between "押し出す", "押し切る", "押し通す", "撥ね退ける"?

"押し出す" means "to push out; to squeeze out", "押し切る" means "to push through; to carry out despite opposition; to insist on", "押し通す" means "to push through; to carry through to the end; to insist on (one's opinion)", "撥ね退ける" means "to push aside, to repel, to brush off (an attack, an obstacle, a suggestion)".

Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "押し出す", "押し切る", "押し通す", "撥ね退ける"

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

Japanese Option A

押し出す

おしだす (oshidasu)

N3 / CEFR

Japanese Option B

押し切る

おしきる (oshikiru)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option C

押し通す

おしとおす (oshitoosu)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option D

撥ね退ける

はねのける (hanenokeru)

N1 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "push" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "押し出す", "押し切る", "押し通す", "撥ね退ける" based on context.

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..
押し切る (おしきる (oshikiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to push through; to carry out despite opposition; to insist on" and is used when Implies overcoming resistance or opposition to achieve one's goal or carry out one's plan..
押し通す (おしとおす (oshitoosu) - Level: N2): Maps to "to push through; to carry through to the end; to insist on (one's opinion)" and is used when Similar to 押し切る, but often emphasizes seeing something through to completion or maintaining one's position despite obstacles or opposition..
撥ね退ける (はねのける (hanenokeru) - Level: N1): Maps to "to push aside, to repel, to brush off (an attack, an obstacle, a suggestion)" and is used when Implying using force or strong will to remove an obstacle or reject something unwelcome. Can be physical.

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!

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 "押し切る"

彼は家族の反対を押し切って、海外留学を決めた。

He decided to study abroad, overriding his family's opposition.

Context for "押し通す"

どんなに困難でも、自分の信念を押し通すことが大切だ。

It's important to stick to your beliefs, no matter how difficult.

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.

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "満員電車でドアから押し出されそうになった。" (Meaning: "I was almost pushed out of the door on the crowded train.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "押し出す" is correct here because it represents "to push out; to squeeze out" in the context: "I was almost pushed out of the door on the crowded train.".