B1 Collocation Formal 3 min read

圧力を受ける

atsuryoku o ukeru

be pressured

Literally: to receive pressure

In 15 Seconds

  • Feeling forced or pushed by external expectations.
  • Commonly used in work, politics, and family contexts.
  • Implies a loss of personal choice or freedom.

Meaning

This phrase describes the feeling of being pushed or forced by external forces. It’s like someone is leaning on you to make a specific choice.

Key Examples

3 of 6
1

Workplace stress

上司から残業するように圧力を受けている。

I'm being pressured by my boss to work overtime.

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2

Family expectations

親から早く結婚しろという圧力を受けて困っている。

I'm in trouble because my parents are pressuring me to get married soon.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>
3

Political news

その企業は政府から強い圧力を受けた。

The company received strong pressure from the government.

<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>
🌍

Cultural Background

The concept of 'Pawahara' (Power Harassment) is a major social issue. It often involves a superior applying {圧力|あつりょく} to a subordinate to meet impossible targets or work excessive hours. 'Silent pressure' ({無言|むごん}の{圧力|あつりょく}) is a key part of Japanese social life. People often feel pressured to conform to the group's behavior without anyone saying a word. Similar to China and Korea, Japanese students face immense pressure from parents and society to succeed in entrance exams, known as 'Exam Hell' ({受験地獄|じゅけんじごく}). In Japanese politics, 'Sontaku' is a famous term where people act based on the perceived pressure from their superiors, even if no direct order was given.

🎯

Use with 'Silent'

Combine it with {無言|むごん} (silent) to sound very natural when describing Japanese social situations.

⚠️

Don't overdo it

It's a strong word. If you use it for small things, you might sound like you're complaining too much.

In 15 Seconds

  • Feeling forced or pushed by external expectations.
  • Commonly used in work, politics, and family contexts.
  • Implies a loss of personal choice or freedom.

What It Means

Imagine a heavy weight sitting on your chest.

That is 圧力を受ける in a social sense.

It means someone is trying to control your actions.

They might use power, status, or even guilt.

You feel like you have very little choice left.

It is not about physical touch or weight.

It is about social or psychological force from others.

It feels like being cornered in a difficult situation.

How To Use It

The grammar for this phrase is quite simple.

You are the subject receiving the action here.

Use the particle から to say who pressures you.

For example, you can say 上司から圧力を受ける.

This means "receiving pressure from the boss."

It sounds more serious than just feeling stressed.

It implies a specific source is pushing you hard.

You can use it in the past tense too.

Just change it to 圧力を受けた for past events.

When To Use It

Use it in professional settings very often.

Companies feel pressure from the government or rivals.

Employees feel pressure from their managers or teams.

You can also use it for family situations.

Maybe your parents want you to get married.

It works for political or social contexts too.

Use it when the "push" feels official or heavy.

It is perfect for describing a lack of freedom.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this for physical objects.

If a heavy box is on you, don't use this.

Avoid it for light, friendly encouragement from friends.

If a friend says "you can do it," that's not 圧力.

Also, do not use it for internal anxiety.

If you are just nervous, use 緊張する instead.

圧力 always implies an outside force is acting.

It is not a feeling you create yourself.

Cultural Background

Japan values harmony and the "group" very highly.

This sometimes creates a lot of "peer pressure."

There is even a term called 同調圧力 (peer pressure).

It means the pressure to be the same as others.

People often feel this without anyone saying a word.

It is the "invisible hand" of Japanese society.

Understanding this helps you navigate social life there.

Sometimes, "reading the air" is just managing this pressure.

Common Variations

You might hear プレッシャーを感じる for mental stress.

That one is more about your internal feeling.

圧力をかける means you are the one pushing others.

Don't be that person unless you really have to!

圧力がかかる is used when the situation itself is tense.

重圧 (juuatsu) is a "heavy pressure" for extreme cases.

Use 重圧 when the pressure feels like a mountain.

Usage Notes

This phrase is neutral but leans toward serious or professional contexts. Be careful not to use it for internal anxiety; it specifically requires an external source of pressure.

🎯

Use with 'Silent'

Combine it with {無言|むごん} (silent) to sound very natural when describing Japanese social situations.

⚠️

Don't overdo it

It's a strong word. If you use it for small things, you might sound like you're complaining too much.

💬

The 'Air' factor

Remember that in Japan, pressure is often implied, not stated. This phrase covers both.

Examples

6
#1 Workplace stress
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

上司から残業するように圧力を受けている。

I'm being pressured by my boss to work overtime.

A very common workplace scenario using the particle 'kara'.

#2 Family expectations
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

親から早く結婚しろという圧力を受けて困っている。

I'm in trouble because my parents are pressuring me to get married soon.

Expresses the social weight of family expectations.

#3 Political news
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M21 13.255A23.931 23.931 0 0112 15c-3.183 0-6.22-.62-9-1.745M16 6V4a2 2 0 00-2-2h-4a2 2 0 00-2 2v2m4 6h.01M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V8a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2z"/></svg>

その企業は政府から強い圧力を受けた。

The company received strong pressure from the government.

Used in news contexts to describe institutional force.

#4 Humorous cat situation
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

猫から「おやつをくれ」という無言の圧力を受けている。

I'm receiving silent pressure from my cat to give him treats.

A lighthearted way to use a serious phrase.

#5 Peer pressure at a party
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14.828 14.828a4 4 0 01-5.656 0M9 10h.01M15 10h.01M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"/></svg>

飲み会で、もっと飲むように友達から圧力を受けた。

At the drinking party, I was pressured by my friends to drink more.

Describes social peer pressure in a casual setting.

#6 Athlete's burden
<svg class="w-5 h-5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M4.318 6.318a4.5 4.5 0 000 6.364L12 20.364l7.682-7.682a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364-6.364L12 7.636l-1.318-1.318a4.5 4.5 0 00-6.364 0z"/></svg>

彼は国民からの期待という大きな圧力を受けている。

He is under great pressure from the expectations of the nation.

Shows how 'expectations' can be a form of pressure.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of {受|う}ける.

{上司|じょうし}から{強|つよ}い{圧力|あつりょく}を(   )、{仕事|しごと}を{辞|や}めた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {受|う}けて

The te-form '{受|う}けて' is used here to show the reason for quitting.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am under pressure from my parents'?

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {親|おや}から{圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}けています。

The standard collocation is {圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}ける.

Match the modifier with the type of pressure.

Match them:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all

All of these are common collocations with {圧力|あつりょく}.

Complete the dialogue.

A: {最近|さいきん}、{元気|げんき}ないね。 B: うん、{新|あたら}しいリーダーから(   )を{受|う}けてて…。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {圧力|あつりょく}

{圧力|あつりょく} (pressure) is the only word that fits the context of social/professional stress.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {受|う}ける. Fill Blank B1

{上司|じょうし}から{強|つよ}い{圧力|あつりょく}を(   )、{仕事|しごと}を{辞|や}めた。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {受|う}けて

The te-form '{受|う}けて' is used here to show the reason for quitting.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am under pressure from my parents'? Choose A2

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {親|おや}から{圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}けています。

The standard collocation is {圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}ける.

Match the modifier with the type of pressure. Match B1

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all

All of these are common collocations with {圧力|あつりょく}.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: {最近|さいきん}、{元気|げんき}ないね。 B: うん、{新|あたら}しいリーダーから(   )を{受|う}けてて…。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {圧力|あつりょく}

{圧力|あつりょく} (pressure) is the only word that fits the context of social/professional stress.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

Yes, but it's more common in technical or scientific contexts. In daily life, it's 90% psychological.

Usually, yes. It implies you are being forced against your will. However, in sports, it can be seen as a challenge to overcome.

Stress ({ストレス|すとれす}) is the internal feeling. {圧力|あつりょく} is the external cause.

No, that's grammatically awkward. Use {圧力|あつりょく}をかけられる instead if you want a passive form.

You can say {強|つよ}い{圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}けています or {多大|ただい}な{圧力|あつりょく}を{受|う}けています.

Related Phrases

🔗

{圧力|あつりょく}をかける

builds on

To apply pressure to someone.

🔗

プレッシャーを{感|かん}じる

similar

To feel pressure.

🔗

{同調圧力|どうちょうあつりょく}

specialized form

Peer pressure / Conformity pressure.

🔗

{屈|くっ}する

contrast

To yield or give in.

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