Translation guide
The English phrase 'push out' can refer to physically forcing something outward, extruding or protruding, or metaphorically forcing someone or something out of a position or situation. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To apply force to move an object away from oneself or out of a confined space.
The most direct equivalent for physically pushing something out. It combines 'push' (押す) and 'put out' (出す).
彼はドアを押し出した。
He pushed the door out.
箱から本を押し出す。
Push the book out of the box.
Implies a more forceful, thrusting motion, like shoving or jabbing something out.
彼は窓から頭を突き出した。
He stuck his head out the window.
To cause something to stick out or be forced out from a surface or opening.
Intransitive; describes something sticking out or protruding. Often used for objects jutting out.
岩が海に突き出ている。
A rock juts out into the sea.
Often used for something overhanging or projecting, like a balcony or a signboard.
Intransitive form of 押し出す, meaning to be pushed out or to protrude due to pressure. Less common.
歯が押し出てきた。
The tooth was pushed out.
To oust, expel, or eject a person from a job, organization, or social circle.
Means to drive out or expel someone. Commonly used for kicking someone out of a room, group, or position.
彼は会社を追い出された。
He was pushed out of the company.
部屋から追い出す。
Push someone out of the room.
Can also be used metaphorically to mean forcing someone out, but 追い出す is more common for expulsion.
Literally 'shut out', used when someone is excluded or locked out of a group or place.
To force a thought or feeling out of one's consciousness.
Literally 'drive out thoughts'. Used when actively trying to forget or suppress something.
嫌な記憶を頭から追い出そうとした。
I tried to push the bad memory out of my mind.
A more literal translation, but less idiomatic than 追い出す for mental contexts.
不安を心から押し出すのは難しい。
It's hard to push anxiety out of your heart.
押し出す (oshidasu) is primarily physical pushing out, while 追い出す (oidasu) is for expelling people or things from a place. For metaphorical 'pushing out' of a job, 追い出す is more natural.
彼を部屋から押し出した。
I physically pushed him out of the room.
彼を部屋から追い出した。
I kicked him out of the room.
Directly translating 'push out' as 押し出す may not work for all contexts. For example, 'push out a new product' is not 製品を押し出す but rather 新製品を発売する (release a new product). Always consider the intended meaning.
The balcony juts out over the street.
The new employee pushed out the veteran.
He was pushed out of the meeting (excluded).