Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prensar | /pɾenˈsaɾ/ | |
| presionar | /pɾesjoˈnaɾ/ | |
| oprimir | /opɾiˈmiɾ/ | |
| aprensar | /apɾenˈsaɾ/ | |
| pulsar | /pulˈsaɾ/ | |
| apretar | /apɾeˈtaɾ/ | |
| conculcar | /konkulˈkaɾ/ | |
| premir | /pɾeˈmiɾ/ | |
| espichar | /espiˈt͡ʃaɾ/ | |
| apelmazar | /apelmaˈθaɾ/ /apelmaˈsaɾ/ |
|
| estripar | /estɾipaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America |
Spanish uses different verbs for 'press' depending on whether the action is mechanical, social or involves a specific object. Prensar is used for industrial or mechanical processes, such as pressing grapes, metal or paper. Presionar applies to both physical pressure, such as pressing a wound and abstract pressure, such as social or psychological pressure. When interacting with technology, pulsar is used for pressing buttons, keys or control interfaces. If the action involves physical force, squeezing an object or tightening something like a screw, use apretar. The noun prensa refers to both a physical machine used to apply pressure and the news media or journalism.
Which one should you use?
Choose your verb based on the nature of the pressure: use pulsar for technical or precise actions like pressing a keyboard key. Use apretar for forceful actions like squeezing or tightening. Use presionar for general physical or abstract pressure. And use prensar for industrial contexts. While oprimir can sometimes mean to press a button, it is most commonly used in a political sense to mean 'to oppress' a person or group.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American dialects, the colloquial verb espichar is used to mean pressing, squeezing or squashing something. The form estripar is also used in Latin America.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾenˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb oprimir shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'oppress', both tracing back to Latin origins involving the idea of pressing down or weighing upon something.
- The word prensa is used for both a physical machine that applies pressure and the news media. This is because early newspapers were printed using a printing press.
- The Spanish verb pulsar is the standard way to describe pressing a key or a button on a device, which is more closely related to the concept of 'pulsing' or 'throbbing' than the English word 'press'.
Examples in context
- Necesito pulsar el botón.I need to press the button.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of pulsar with a button.Tatoeba #1687096 by Shishir, translation #1652072 by Spamster
- No le deje pulsar este botón.Don't let him press this button.This sentence shows a negative command using pulsar.Tatoeba #7929939 by Seael, translation #1741987 by Amastan
- No tienes más que pulsar el botón.All you have to do is press the button.This sentence demonstrates how to express a simple requirement using pulsar.Tatoeba #5041572 by wallebot, translation #69766 by CK
- La prensa tiene un papel fundamental en una sociedad democráticaThe press plays a fundamental role in a democratic society
- Los medios de comunicación siguen de cerca los eventos políticosThe press closely follows political events
- La prensa escrita sigue siendo relevante en la era digitalThe written press remains relevant in the digital age
- Me informé a través de los medios sobre el último acontecimientoI learned about the latest event through the media
- La prensa libre es indispensable para el correcto funcionamiento de una sociedad democráticaA free press is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society
- Me gusta leer el diario todas las mañanasI like to read the newspaper every morning
- La prensa es una pieza fundamental en una sociedad democrática, ya que permite el acceso a la información.The press is a fundamental piece in a democratic society, as it enables access to information.
- Los medios de comunicación transmitieron en vivo la rueda de prensa del presidente.The media broadcasted the president's press conference live.
- Me enteré por la prensa escrita sobre el último acontecimiento deportivo.I found out about the latest sports event through the written press.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are working in a small workshop.
- AlejandroTenemos que prensar estas hojas de metal.We have to press these metal sheets.
- Elena¿La máquina está lista para prensar?Is the machine ready to press?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, ya podemos prensar el material.Yes, Elena, we can press the material now.
- ElenaPerfecto, voy a empezar a prensar ahora.Perfect, I am going to start pressing now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “press” translations and entries prensar, presionar, oprimir, aprensar, pulsar, apretar, conculcar, premir, espichar, apelmazar, estripar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aprensar, oprimir, prensar, presionar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
