押
KANJI DETAIL
push
On readingおう8 strokesN3
Radical 手 · handStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 押.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- おう
- Kun reading
- おす, おさえる
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 押 has 8 strokes and the on-reading おう. 押す (おす) and 押さえる (おさえる) are used for pushing or pressing.
- Basic usage: 押す describes pushing a box or pressing a button; 押さえる describes holding something in place or securing availability.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Pushing something along and holding it down
- 箱を二人で廊下の端まで押した means that two people pushed a box to the end of the hallway. 紙を石で押さえた means held paper down with a stone so it would not blow away.
- 早めに宿を押さえる means to secure lodging early. Here 押さえる focuses on booking or securing something rather than physically pressing it.