押す

• Reading: おす
• Romaji: osu
• Kanji breakdown: 押 (ou/o) — to push, to press, to stamp
• Pronunciation: /o.sɯ/

Meaning

To push; to press; to shove. Used for physical pushing and pressing buttons or stamps.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the す ending (押して, 押した, 押します). Very versatile: ボタンを押す (press a button), ドアを押す (push a door), はんこを押す (stamp a seal). The opposite is 引く (hiku — to pull). Signs on doors often read 押 (push) or 引 (pull).

Examples

1. このボタンを押してください。 Please press this button.
2. ドアを押して開けました。 I pushed the door open.
3. 書類にはんこを押しました。 I stamped my seal on the document.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, technology, office

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 押 combines 手 (hand radical) with 甲 (armour/shell), evoking the image of a hand pressing firmly against a hard surface.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal