Translation guide
The English word 'pressure' covers physical force, mental stress, and social coercion. Japanese uses different words for each, and some expressions are more natural than direct translations.
Feeling stressed, anxious, or under mental strain from expectations, responsibilities, or difficult situations.
Loanword from English, widely used for psychological pressure, especially in sports, work, or exams. Natural in casual and semi-formal contexts.
試合前はいつもプレッシャーを感じる。
I always feel pressure before a match.
彼はプレッシャーに弱い。
He can't handle pressure well.
Literally 'pressure' as a force, but can be used metaphorically for social or psychological pressure. More formal and often implies external coercion.
上司から圧力をかけられた。
I was pressured by my boss.
Loanword for 'stress'. Often used interchangeably with 'pressure' when referring to mental strain. Very common.
仕事のストレスで眠れない。
I can't sleep because of work pressure/stress.
Heavy pressure, intense burden. Often used for overwhelming expectations or responsibility. Somewhat literary or formal.
期待の重圧に押しつぶされそうだ。
I feel crushed by the pressure of expectations.
Continuous physical force applied to a surface or object, or the amount of force per unit area.
Standard scientific/technical term for physical pressure (e.g., air pressure, water pressure). Also used in everyday contexts.
この容器は高い圧力に耐えられる。
This container can withstand high pressure.
タイヤの空気圧をチェックしてください。
Please check the tire pressure.
Short form of 圧力, used in compounds like 気圧 (atmospheric pressure) or 血圧 (blood pressure). Not used alone as a noun.
気圧の変化で頭が痛い。
My head hurts from changes in atmospheric pressure.
Literal 'pushing force'. Used when explaining physical pressure in simple terms, e.g., to children.
指で押す力を加減してください。
Please adjust the pressure of your finger.
Influence from a group or society to behave in a certain way, often to avoid standing out.
Specifically 'peer pressure' or 'conformity pressure'. Widely understood term in Japanese society.
日本の学校では同調圧力が強い。
There is strong peer pressure in Japanese schools.
Literally 'the eyes of others'. Implies social pressure from what others think. Very common in everyday speech.
周りの目を気にしすぎる。
I worry too much about what others think (social pressure).
Appearances in society, what others think. Implies pressure to maintain a good reputation. Slightly formal.
A state of urgency or being forced to act quickly due to circumstances.
A pressing or urgent situation. Natural way to describe being under pressure to act.
切迫した状況で冷静さを保つのは難しい。
It's hard to stay calm under pressure.
To be cornered or driven into a corner. Implies intense pressure with no escape. Often used in dramatic contexts.
彼は追い詰められて、ついに告白した。
Under pressure, he finally confessed.
Literally 'no time to spare'. Describes time pressure specifically.
時間的余裕がなくて、焦ってしまう。
I get flustered because I'm under time pressure.
To try to persuade or force someone to do something by applying influence or threats.
Most common way to say 'to put pressure on someone'. Casual and widely used.
彼に早く決めるようプレッシャーをかけた。
I pressured him to decide quickly.
More formal version, often used in business or political contexts.
政府に圧力をかけて政策を変えさせた。
They pressured the government to change its policy.
To coerce or force someone to do something. Stronger than 'pressure', implies compulsion.
彼は私に嘘をつくよう強要した。
He pressured me into lying.
The phrase 'under pressure' does not translate directly to 圧力の下で. Use expressions like プレッシャーの中で or 追い詰められて depending on context.
彼はプレッシャーの中で最高の仕事をする。
He does his best work under pressure.
プレッシャー is the default for psychological pressure in everyday speech. 圧力 is more formal and often implies external force or coercion. For physical pressure, always use 圧力.
世間体を気にして行動する。
Act under the pressure of keeping up appearances.