Japanese symbol for “push”
押す
おす
Romaji: osu
to push; to thrust; to shove
In Japanese, push is 押す, read おす (osu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5s, vt to push; to thrust; to shove
- v5s, vt to press (down); to push (e.g. a button); to exert pressure on
- v5s, vt to stamp (e.g. one's name); to affix (a seal)
- v5s, vt to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
- v5s, vt to push (someone for something); to press; to put pressure on (someone)
- v5s, vt to overwhelm; to overpower; to put (someone) under pressure; to be superior to
Written forms: 押す、圧す、捺す. Readings: おす.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “push”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 押し | おし oshi | push; pushing |
| プッシュ | プッシュ pusshu | push |
| 寄せる | よせる yoseru | to press; to push; to force |
| 突く | つく tsuku | to poke; to prod; to push |
| 駆り立てる | かりたてる karitateru | to drive (to do); to urge; to spur on |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 押し | おし oshi | push; pushing |
| 押さえる | おさえる osaeru | to pin down; to hold down; to press down |
| 後押し | あとおし atooshi | pushing; support; backing |
| 押し出し | おしだし oshidashi | pushing something out; extrusion |
| 押収 | おうしゅう oushuu | seizure; confiscation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “push”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.