ichidan verb, transitive verb
hold down; press down; pin down
Physical action of pressing or holding something in place to prevent movement.
風で飛ばないように、書類を文鎮で押さえた。
I held the papers down with a paperweight so they wouldn't blow away.
彼は倒れた相手を床に押さえつけた。
He pinned the fallen opponent to the floor.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
cover with hand; clutch in pain; press body part
Used when a person covers, clutches, or presses a part of their own body, often due to pain or to protect it.
彼女は痛むお腹を手で押さえた。
She clutched her aching stomach with her hand.
転んだとき、ひざを押さえてうずくまった。
When I fell, I crouched down pressing my knee.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Figurative extension of physical holding: to capture, apprehend, or secure something or someone.
警察は容疑者を現場で押さえた。
The police arrested the suspect at the scene.
彼はチャンスをしっかり押さえた。
He firmly seized the opportunity.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
grasp a point; comprehend
To understand or capture the essence of an idea or argument.
彼の説明で要点を押さえることができた。
I was able to grasp the main points from his explanation.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
To reserve or secure something abstract like time, space, or availability; often used with 日程, 席, 枠.
会議のために午後の時間を押さえておいてください。
Please reserve the afternoon time slot for the meeting.
人気のレストランの席を押さえた。
I secured a seat at the popular restaurant.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
To control or restrain something undesirable such as emotions, riots, or inflation. Often interchangeable with 抑える in this sense.
See also: 抑える (おさえる)
彼は怒りを必死で押さえた。
He desperately held back his anger.
政府は物価の上昇を押さえようとしている。
The government is trying to curb rising prices.