Translation guide
The English verb "jostle" describes pushing or bumping against someone, often in a crowd. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different verbs and phrases are used depending on the situation, such as accidental bumping, intentional pushing, or moving through a crowd.
To describe being pushed or bumped into by others in a crowded place, often unintentionally.
Literally 'to bump into a person'. This is the most common way to describe accidental contact in a crowd. Use ぶつかる for unintentional bumping.
満員電車で人にぶつかった。
I bumped into someone on the crowded train.
Passive form of 押す (to push). Used when you are pushed by others, often in a crowd. Focuses on the experience of being pushed.
人混みで押されて転びそうになった。
I was jostled in the crowd and almost fell.
Literally 'to be tossed about in a crowd'. Implies being pushed and shoved repeatedly in a dense crowd, often with a sense of being overwhelmed.
お祭りの人混みにもまれて疲れた。
I got jostled around in the festival crowd and got tired.
To describe deliberately pushing someone, often to move them or to get past.
General verb for 'push'. Can be used for intentional pushing, but context is needed to distinguish from accidental contact.
彼は私を押して道を開けさせた。
He jostled me to make way.
To push aside or shove out of the way. Stronger and more deliberate than 押す.
To shove or push someone forcefully, often causing them to stumble. Implies aggression.
To describe the action of making one's way through a crowd by pushing or elbowing.
Literally 'to push through a crowd and advance'. Describes actively making your way through a dense crowd, often using your hands.
人混みをかき分けて出口に向かった。
I jostled my way through the crowd toward the exit.
To cut in or push into a line or crowd. Often used for jumping a queue, but can describe forcing oneself into a crowd.
彼は列に割り込んだ。
He jostled into the line.
To describe metaphorical jostling, such as competing for attention, power, or advantage.
Idiom meaning 'to compete fiercely', literally 'to sharpen one's swords'. Used for intense competition in business, politics, etc.
各社が市場シェアをめぐってしのぎを削っている。
Companies are jostling for market share.
To compete or contend with each other, often in a close contest. Can be used for bidding, racing, or vying for position.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'jostle'. Using a dictionary translation like 押し合う may sound unnatural in many contexts. Choose the expression based on whether the contact is accidental or intentional, and whether you are describing the action or the experience.
Use ぶつかる for accidental bumping. Use 押す or 押しのける for intentional pushing. Using 押す for an accident may imply blame.
人を押しのけて前に出た。
He jostled people aside and went forward.
酔っ払いに突き飛ばされた。
I was jostled (shoved) by a drunkard.
Candidates are jostling for the party's nomination.