# を押して / を押し切って: to overcome (opposition); to push past ~

> Learn how to use を押して and を押し切って, JLPT N1 grammar meaning to overcome opposition; to push past, with formation, nuance, comparisons, and practice.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-o-oshite-o-oshikitte/

**を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** / **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** means **to overcome (opposition); to push past ~**. They are **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar patterns used to express that someone acts despite resistance, difficulties, or objections — often with a sense of determination or defiance.

These grammar points appear often in formal writing, news articles, and high-level reading passages. If you want to say that someone persevered in the face of opposition or physical obstacles, **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** or **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** are patterns you need to learn.

## What does を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て mean?

Use **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** or **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** when someone pushes past an obstacle, ignores opposition, or acts in spite of hardship. The obstacle is usually a noun (e.g., opposition, illness, fatigue, objections).

Natural translations include:
- to overcome (opposition); to push past ~
- in defiance of …; despite …
- to force one’s way through …

The nuance: **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** often focuses on the action of pushing through while the obstacle is still present, while **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** implies a completed, forceful override — often overriding other people’s will. Choose based on how final and defiant the action is.

## How to form を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

The pattern attaches to a noun that represents the obstacle.

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-core">Noun (obstacle)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-core">Noun (obstacle)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span>
</div>

Common obstacles used with these patterns:
- <ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (はんたい) — opposition
- <ruby>病気<rp>(</rp><rt>びょうき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (びょうき) — illness
- <ruby>疲れ<rp>(</rp><rt>つかれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (つかれ) — fatigue
- <ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (こんなん) — hardship
- <ruby>周囲<rp>(</rp><rt>しゅうい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (しゅういのはんたい) — objections from those around you

<div class="formula">
  <span><ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span><span class="fplus">＋</span><span class="ftoken t-conn">を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</span> &rarr; "overcoming opposition, …"
</div>

## When is を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て used?

Use these patterns in situations like:
- describing someone who acts despite strong objections from others
- narrating a decision that goes against advice or warnings
- explaining how a person continued working despite illness or fatigue
- showing determination or a forceful attitude

Tone and register:
- slightly formal; common in written Japanese, news reports, and formal speeches
- less common in casual daily chat unless you are telling a dramatic story
- **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** is stronger and more conclusive than **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て**

## を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <span class="furi">反対</span>を<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>し<ruby>切<rt>き</rt></ruby>って、<ruby>新<rt>あたら</rt></ruby>しい<ruby>制度<rt>せいど</rt></ruby>を<ruby>導入<rt>どうにゅう</rt></ruby>した。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">They pushed through opposition and introduced the new system.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>病気<rt>びょうき</rt></ruby>を<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>して、<ruby>会議<rt>かいぎ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>出席<rt>しゅっせき</rt></ruby>した。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Despite being sick, she attended the meeting.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>疲<rt>つか</rt></ruby>れを<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>して<ruby>働<rt>はたら</rt></ruby>き<ruby>続<rt>つづ</rt></ruby>けた。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">He kept working, pushing past his fatigue.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>周囲<rt>しゅうい</rt></ruby>の<ruby>反対<rt>はんたい</rt></ruby>を<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>し<ruby>切<rt>き</rt></ruby>って、<ruby>留学<rt>りゅうがく</rt></ruby>を<ruby>決<rt>き</rt></ruby>めた。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">She overrode everyone's objections and decided to study abroad.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>困難<rt>こんなん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>して<ruby>計画<rt>けいかく</rt></ruby>を<ruby>実行<rt>じっこう</rt></ruby>した。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">They carried out the plan, overcoming many difficulties.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>多数<rt>たすう</rt></ruby>の<ruby>反対<rt>はんたい</rt></ruby>を<ruby>押<rt>お</rt></ruby>し<ruby>切<rt>き</rt></ruby>って、<ruby>法案<rt>ほうあん</rt></ruby>が<ruby>可決<rt>かけつ</rt></ruby>された。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">The bill was passed despite overwhelming opposition.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">N1</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask yourself: what obstacle is being pushed aside? That focus helps you feel the defiance these patterns carry.

## Nuance of を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

The key nuance is **action in the face of resistance**, but there is a difference in strength:

- **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** — the obstacle is present, and the person acts despite it; the focus is on the effort, not necessarily the final outcome.
- **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** — the speaker implies that the resistance was fully overcome, often by force of will. It conveys a conclusion: “they pushed it through, and the opposition lost.”

Because of this, **を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** frequently appears when describing overriding someone’s objection, while **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** can be used for physical obstacles like fatigue or illness.

## を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て vs をものともせず

Both **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** and **をものともせず** express defiance of an obstacle, but they differ in attitude.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head">を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">pushing through with determination, often against people’s will</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use when the obstacle is something that actively resists, like opposition or illness. を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て adds a sense of “I won.”</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>結婚<rp>(</rp><rt>けっこん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">They got married despite opposition (and they won).</div>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head">をものともせず</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">paying no mind to the obstacle; undaunted</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use for challenges like storms, danger, or difficulty. The obstacle is treated as unworthy of stopping the actor.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>嵐<rp>(</rp><rt>あらし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をものともせず<ruby>出かけ<rp>(</rp><rt>でかけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">He went out, undaunted by the storm.</div>
  </div>
</div>

If you can replace the noun with a person’s opinion or physical strain, **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** is natural. If it’s an external force like weather or danger, **をものともせず** fits better.

## Common mistakes with を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>病気<rp>(</rp><rt>びょうき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>に<rt></rt></ruby><ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て…<br>
        <span class="note">に is incorrect; the obstacle must be marked with を.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>病気<rp>(</rp><rt>びょうき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>を<rt></rt></ruby><ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て…
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て、<ruby>結局<rp>(</rp><rt>けっきょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>あきらめた。<br>
        <span class="note">Contradictory: <ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て signals you overcame it, so “gave up in the end” clashes.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て、<ruby>計画<rp>(</rp><rt>けいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>実行<rp>(</rp><rt>じっこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した。
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て<ruby>出かけ<rp>(</rp><rt>でかけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。<br>
        <span class="note">Rain is not typically something you “push against” with willpower; を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て sounds odd here.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をものともせず<ruby>出かける<rp>(</rp><rt>でかける</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。 or <ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>中<rp>(</rp><rt>なか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>出かけ<rp>(</rp><rt>でかけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Is を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <p><strong>Appears in:</strong> Reading passages, grammar-choice questions, and sometimes listening scripts where formal announcements are made.</p>
      <p><strong>Typical format:</strong> A sentence with a blank for the particle and verb phrase, or a paraphrasing task. You need to recognize the nuance of defiance and forced action.</p>
      <p><strong>Test tip:</strong> Remember the noun must be marked with <b>を</b>. When you see <ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> or <ruby>病気<rp>(</rp><rt>びょうき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> followed by を, the correct completion is often <ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て or <ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Make a sentence using <b><ruby>病気<rp>(</rp><rt>びょうき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b> about someone who participated in an important event.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">writing</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Rewrite a simple “despite” sentence (e.g., “He went to school even though he had a fever”) using <b>を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b>. Notice where the obstacle goes.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">transformation</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where a leader <b><ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b> makes a decision. Then describe the result.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">context</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare <b><ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b> and <b><ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>をものともせず</b> in your own words. Which feels more forceful?</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">nuance</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <div class="step-body">Learn the literal image: physically pushing something away. That helps remember why the particle is <b>を</b>.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <div class="step-body">Distinguish the two variants. Practice sentences where only <b>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b> works (final, confrontational override) and where <b>を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て</b> is enough (pushing through a condition).</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <div class="step-body">Compare with <b>をものともせず</b>. Find three nouns that pair naturally with each and make sentences.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <div class="step-body">Read news articles or editorials that use <ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て; pay attention to the verbs that follow. This is a common N1 reading pattern.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [を<ruby>踏まえ<rp>(</rp><rt>ふまえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て](/blog/n1-o-fumaete/) — because it also marks a basis for action, but with a sense of “based on,” not defiance.
- [を<ruby>経<rp>(</rp><rt>へ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て](/blog/n1-o-hete/) — because it also uses the particle を, but focuses on passing through stages, not opposition.
- [を<ruby>控え<rp>(</rp><rt>ひかえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て](/blog/n1-o-hikaete/) — because it also follows an event or situation, but means “with ~ ahead,” not overcoming.
- [をいいことに](/blog/n1-o-ii-koto-ni/) — because it attaches to a noun and expresses using a situation to one’s advantage, showing a different type of manipulation with を.

## Learn を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て with Hane

If you want to review **を<ruby>押し<rp>(</rp><rt>おし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て / を<ruby>押し切っ<rp>(</rp><rt>おしきっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>て** together with the patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)