What does 押える mean?
押える is a Japanese verb meaning “to stop, to restrain, to press down” in English. It can also be translated as “to cover (esp. a part of one's body with one's hand), to get a hold of, to grasp (a point)” depending on context. It is written as 押える in kanji, おさえる in hiragana, and osaeru in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N3 vocabulary.
Example sentences
このはしごをしっかり押さえてくれ。
Hold this ladder steady.
警察はその強盗の首を押さえた。
The police seized the robber by the neck.
私は彼が私の悪口を言っているところを押さえた。
I caught him speaking ill of me.