Translation guide
The English verb 'restrain' covers a range of meanings from physically holding someone back to controlling emotions or limiting freedom. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being restrained and how. This guide organizes the most common and useful expressions for English-speaking learners.
To use physical force to stop someone from moving, often to prevent harm or escape.
General term for physically holding someone down or pinning them. Can also mean to cover or suppress.
警官が暴れる男を押さえた。
The police officer restrained the violent man.
To seize and hold someone, often used when capturing a suspect or stopping a fight.
警備員が泥棒を取り押さえた。
The security guard restrained the thief.
Formal term for detaining or physically restraining, often used in legal or official contexts.
容疑者は警察に拘束された。
The suspect was restrained by the police.
To hold back feelings like anger, excitement, or desire.
The most common verb for suppressing emotions or urges. Note the kanji 抑 (suppress) vs. 押 (push) for physical restraint.
怒りを抑えるのに苦労した。
I struggled to restrain my anger.
笑いを抑えられなかった。
I couldn't restrain my laughter.
To endure or hold back something welling up, like tears or laughter. Often used in the form こらえきれない (can't hold back).
To exercise self-restraint; a more formal or introspective term for controlling one's own behavior.
彼は自制して怒りを表に出さなかった。
He restrained himself and didn't show his anger.
To stop a person from acting freely, often through rules, persuasion, or authority.
To stop someone from doing something, often by verbal command or intervention.
彼が飛び降りようとしたので、友人が制止した。
His friend restrained him when he tried to jump.
To hold someone back from leaving; to detain or restrain by persuasion.
彼女は怒って出て行こうとしたが、私は引き止めた。
She tried to leave in anger, but I restrained her.
To curb or check someone's actions, often used in abstract or policy contexts (e.g., restraining spending).
政府はインフレを抑制しようとしている。
The government is trying to restrain inflation.
To restrict someone's liberty, often by rules, laws, or physical barriers.
To bind or restrict freedom; can be used for physical restraints or metaphorical ones like rules or relationships.
彼は自由を束縛されるのを嫌う。
He hates being restrained in his freedom.
To set limits on something; more about imposing restrictions than physical holding.
新しい規則が私たちの活動を制限している。
The new rules are restraining our activities.
Formal term for detaining or confining, often used in legal contexts.
不当に拘束された。
I was unjustly restrained.
Both read おさえる but use different kanji. 押さえる (押 = push) is for physical restraint (holding down a person or object). 抑える (抑 = suppress) is for controlling emotions, urges, or abstract things. In casual writing, hiragana おさえる is common for both.
彼を押さえる (physical) vs. 怒りを抑える (emotional)
Restrain him vs. restrain anger
English 'restrain' is often used in contexts where Japanese would use a more specific verb. For example, 'restrain oneself from eating too much' is naturally 食べ過ぎを控える (refrain) rather than a direct translation of restrain. Always consider the specific action being held back.
涙をこらえた。
I restrained my tears.