Translation guide
How to express the action of pushing something into a space, container, or surface in Japanese. The best word depends on what is being pushed, how forcefully, and into what.
To insert or force an object into a confined space, such as a pocket, bag, or hole.
General term for pushing something into a space, often with some force. Can be used for stuffing things into a bag or pushing a plug into a socket.
服をカバンに押し込んだ。
I pushed the clothes into the bag.
彼は鍵を鍵穴に押し込んだ。
He pushed the key into the keyhole.
More forceful or abrupt than 押し込む. Often implies thrusting or jamming something in quickly. Can also be used figuratively.
彼は手をポケットに突っ込んだ。
He shoved his hands into his pockets.
To insert something into a slot or opening, often with a sliding motion. Common for inserting cards, plugs, or keys.
カードを差し込んでください。
Please insert the card.
To press an object into a soft or penetrable material, like pushing a thumbtack into a board or a finger into dough.
Works for pushing something into a surface, but often combined with other words for clarity.
画鋲を壁に押し込んだ。
I pushed the thumbtack into the wall.
To stab or thrust into, implying piercing. Used for sharp objects.
To cause something to sink or become embedded into a surface, often by force. Implies the object is stuck.
彼はボールを壁にめり込ませた。
He made the ball embed itself into the wall.
To force a person into a room, vehicle, or difficult circumstance.
Can be used for physically pushing a person into a space, like a car or room.
彼は彼女を車に押し込んだ。
He pushed her into the car.
To drive or corner someone into a situation, often negative. More about forcing into a state than a physical space.
To cut in line or force one's way into a waiting line.
To cut into a line or queue. Commonly used for pushing into traffic or a waiting line.
彼は列に割り込んだ。
He pushed into the line.
押し込む is the most general 'push into'. 突っ込む implies a more forceful, sudden thrust. 差し込む is for sliding something into a designated slot.
彼はナイフを机に突き刺した。
He stabbed the knife into the desk.
He pushed her into despair.