Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| presser | /pʁɛ.se/ /pʁe.se/ |
| appuyer | /a.pɥi.je/ |
The verb 'to press' can be translated in different ways depending on what you are doing. appuyer is used for pressing a button or a key. presser means to squeeze or to hurry. Related to these verbs, pressoir is a noun for a device used to apply pressure and presse is a noun for the printed media.
Which one should you use?
Use the construction appuyer sur when you are pressing a button or a key. In contrast, presser is typically used for squeezing something soft or liquid, such as fruit for juice.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
appuyer is a regular -er verb in the first conjugation group.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of presser is /pʁɛ.se/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying appuyer le bouton. English speakers often forget the preposition sur and should instead say appuyer sur le bouton.
Did you know?
- The verb appuyer is etymologically linked to the word 'podium' via the Medieval Latin word for a platform or base.
- The word appuyer can also mean 'to support' or 'to back' a claim or a person, moving from physical pressure to metaphorical support.
- The verb presser is an 'auto-antonym' of sorts because while it means to squeeze, it also means 'to hurry' or 'to rush'.
Examples in context
- Veuillez appuyer sur le bouton.Press the button, please.This example shows how to use appuyer to request pressing a button.Tatoeba #9744 by sacredceltic, translation #10648411 by sundown
- Il te faut appuyer sur le bouton.You need to press the button.This example demonstrates the necessity of pressing a button.Tatoeba #1652421 by sacredceltic, translation #1652074 by Spamster
- Pouvez-vous appuyer sur le bouton ?Could you press this button?This example uses appuyer to ask if someone can press a button.Tatoeba #11755 by sacredceltic, translation #53086 by CK
- La presse a couvert l'événement hier soirThe press covered the event last night
- Les médias ont rapporté cette nouvelle en première pageThe media reported this news on the front page
- J'aime lire la presse écrite tous les matinsI enjoy reading the print media every morning
- Les journaux rapportent souvent des histoires sensationnalistesNewspapers often report sensationalist stories
- Les médias ont parlé abondamment de cette affaireThe media talked extensively about this matter
- La presse a couvert l'événement en détailThe press covered the event in detail
- J'aime lire le journal Le MondeI enjoy reading the newspaper Le Monde
- Appuie sur le bouton pour allumer la télévisionPress the button to turn on the TV
- Je ne lis pas la presse people, c'est trop superficielI don't read tabloid magazines, they're too superficial
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is trying to use an old machine in the kitchen.
- GabrielIl faut presser ce levier pour que ça marche.You have to press this lever to make it work.
- EmmaJe le fais, mais rien ne se passe.I am doing it, but nothing is happening.
- GabrielEssaie de presser un peu plus fort.Try to press a little harder.
- EmmaAh, ça fonctionne enfin !Ah, it is finally working!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “press” translations and entries presser, appuyer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries appuyer, presser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
