Translation guide
The English word "crush" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: romantic infatuation, physically crushing something, defeating decisively, and a crowd of people. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
Expressing that you have a crush on someone, or talking about a crush in a romantic sense.
A natural, indirect way to say you have a crush on someone. Literally means 'there is a person I like'. Commonly used by all ages.
実は、好きな人がいるんだ。
Actually, I have a crush on someone.
Means 'unrequited love' or 'one-sided love'. Often used to describe a crush that may not be reciprocated. Can be used as a noun or with する.
彼に片思いしている。
I have a crush on him. (unrequited)
Means 'admiration' or 'longing'. Used for a crush that is more about admiration, often for someone out of reach like a celebrity or senior.
先輩に憧れています。
I have a crush on my senior. (admiration)
Means 'there is someone I'm curious about' or 'someone on my mind'. A softer, more casual way to hint at a crush without directly saying 'like'.
最近、気になる人ができた。
Recently, I've developed a crush on someone.
Means 'love', but can be used in contexts like 'first love' or 'puppy love'. Not typically used alone to say 'I have a crush'.
それはただの恋だよ。
That's just a crush.
To press or squeeze something so hard that it breaks or loses its shape.
Transitive verb meaning to crush, smash, or squash something. Used for cans, fruits, etc.
空き缶を潰してリサイクルに出した。
I crushed the empty can and put it out for recycling.
Intransitive verb meaning to be crushed, squashed, or flattened. Used when something gets crushed by itself or by an unspecified force.
Means to break into pieces, crush, or shatter. Used for harder materials like ice, rocks, or bones.
Compound verb meaning to crush by pressing. Emphasizes the action of pressing down.
Formal/technical term meaning to pulverize or crush into powder. Used in industrial or scientific contexts.
機械が岩石を粉砕する。
The machine crushes rocks into powder.
To defeat an opponent completely or overwhelmingly, often in sports, games, or competition.
Means to defeat or beat decisively. Can be used in sports, battles, or arguments.
我々は敵を完全に打ち負かした。
We completely crushed the enemy.
Means to win a crushing victory. Often used in elections or sports when the margin is huge.
そのチームは圧勝した。
That team crushed their opponents.
Casual phrase meaning to make someone lose badly. 'ボロ負け' means 'crushing defeat'.
彼をボロ負けさせた。
I crushed him (in a game).
Metaphorical use of 'pulverize' to mean completely destroy an opponent. Sounds dramatic.
敵を粉砕した。
We crushed the enemy.
A large, dense crowd of people pressed closely together.
Standard word for a crowd of people, especially in busy places like stations or events.
人混みに巻き込まれた。
I got caught in a crush of people.
Refers to a bustling crowd or throng, often with a nuance of noise and chaos. Slightly more formal/literary.
Means a crowd or multitude. Can be used for large gatherings, but less about physical pressing.
The loanword クラッシュ (kurasshu) is used for physical crashing (like a car crash) or computer crashes, but not for romantic feelings. Using it for a crush on someone will cause confusion.
潰す (つぶす) is for crushing something soft or hollow into a flattened shape (cans, boxes, fruits). 砕く (くだく) is for breaking something hard into pieces (ice, rocks, bones). Choose based on the material and result.
箱が潰れていた。
The box was crushed.
I crushed ice and made shaved ice.
重い石が花を押し潰した。
The heavy stone crushed the flowers.
雑踏の中で友人を見失った。
I lost my friend in the crush of the crowd.
群衆が出口に殺到した。
The crowd crushed toward the exit.
Describes a situation where people are pushing and shoving each other, like in a packed train. Literally 'pushing and crushing each other'.
満員電車は押し合いへし合いだ。
The packed train is a crush of people.