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

"押し出す" means "to push out; to squeeze out", "押し通す" means "to push through; to carry through to the end; to insist on (one's opinion)", "押し込む" means "to push into; to cram into; to force into", "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", "押し通す", "押し込む", "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

押し通す

おしとおす (oshitoosu)

N2 / CEFR

Japanese Option C

押し込む

おしこむ (oshikomu)

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", "押し通す", "押し込む", "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..
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..
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 "押し込む"

満員電車に体を押し込んだ。

I crammed myself into the packed train.

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.".