Translation guide
To enter a space in large numbers, filling it tightly. In Japanese, this is expressed with verbs like 押し寄せる (to surge in), 詰めかける (to throng), or なだれ込む (to flood in), often combined with particles like に or へ.
Describing a crowd moving into a space, such as a room, stadium, or vehicle.
Emphasizing that people are squeezed together inside a small area, like an elevator or train.
Both mean a crowd gathers, but 押し寄せる emphasizes the surging movement, while 詰めかける focuses on the act of flocking to a location. 押し寄せる can also be used for waves or natural forces.
津波が海岸に押し寄せた。
The tsunami surged onto the shore.
Do not translate 'crowd into' word-for-word as 群衆の中へ (into the crowd) or similar. Use the verbs above to convey the action naturally.
Literally 'push-approach', used for crowds surging into a place. Often implies a forceful or unstoppable movement.
観客がスタジアムに押し寄せた。
The spectators crowded into the stadium.
Means 'to throng' or 'to flock to', emphasizing that people gather in large numbers. Commonly used for events or popular places.
ファンが会場に詰めかけた。
Fans crowded into the venue.
Literally 'avalanche-enter', used when a crowd rushes in all at once, like a flood. Slightly more dramatic.
開店と同時に客が店内になだれ込んだ。
As soon as the store opened, customers crowded into the shop.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to enter in large numbers'. Less vivid but clear and natural.
観光客が大勢でバスに入った。
Tourists crowded into the bus.
Transitive verb meaning 'to cram in' or 'to pack tightly'. Can be used for people or objects. For intransitive, use 詰め込まれる (passive) or 詰まる.
乗客が電車に詰め込まれた。
Passengers were crowded into the train.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to be packed like sushi', describing extreme crowding. Often used for trains during rush hour.
ラッシュ時の電車はすし詰め状態だ。
Trains during rush hour are crowded into like sardines.
Colloquial expression meaning 'to be jam-packed'. Emphasizes the physical tightness.
エレベーターがぎゅうぎゅう詰めだった。
The elevator was crowded into tightly.