How to Say "to press" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to press” is “presionar” — use this when referring to applying physical force or operating buttons and keys.
presionar
pre-syo-NARpɾesjoˈnaɾ
Examples
Presiona el botón verde para encender la máquina.
Press the green button to turn on the machine.
Tienes que presionar con fuerza para que pegue bien.
You have to press hard so it sticks well.
Presionar vs. Empujar
Use 'presionar' when you are pushing down on something or pushing a button. Use 'empujar' when you are pushing an object to move it away from you, like a door or a cart.
Don't 'Squeeze' Buttons
Mistake: “Using 'apretar' for every button.”
Correction: While 'apretar' is used, 'presionar' or 'pulsar' is often more precise for electronic buttons.
apretar
ah-preh-tahrapreˈtaɾ
Examples
Tienes que apretar el botón rojo para empezar.
You have to press the red button to start.
Estos zapatos me aprietan mucho.
These shoes are very tight on me (they squeeze me).
Aprieta el tornillo con el destornillador.
Tighten the screw with the screwdriver.
The Spelling Change
This verb is a 'stem-changer.' The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' when you stress it (like 'aprieto'), but stays as 'e' when the ending is stressed (like 'apretamos').
Don't forget the 'ie'
Mistake: “yo apreto”
Correction: yo aprieto - Remember the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms.
pulsar
pool-SAHRpulˈsaɾ
Examples
Pulsa el botón rojo para detener la máquina.
Press the red button to stop the machine.
Debes pulsar la tecla Enter en el teclado.
You must press the Enter key on the keyboard.
Para ver el video, pulsa en el icono de reproducción.
To see the video, click on the play icon.
Pulsar vs. Empujar
Use 'pulsar' for quick touches like buttons or screens. Use 'empujar' when you need to use force to move something, like a heavy door.
Direct Action
This word usually connects directly to the thing you are pressing without needing a word in between: 'Pulsar el botón' (Press the button).
Clicking a Mouse
Mistake: “Hacer click el ratón”
Correction: Pulsar el botón del ratón (or simply 'hacer clic en'). Pulsar is the more formal way to describe the physical action.
oprimir
oh-pree-MEERo.pɾiˈmiɾ
Examples
Oprime el botón verde para comenzar.
Press the green button to start.
Tienes que oprimir la tecla 'Enter' dos veces.
You have to press the 'Enter' key twice.
El médico oprimió mi abdomen para ver si me dolía.
The doctor pressed my abdomen to see if it hurt.
Oprimir vs. Presionar
While both mean 'to press,' 'oprimir' is often used for technical things like buttons or medical contexts, while 'presionar' is used more for pushing on someone or general pressure.
No Confusion with Printing
Even though they look similar, 'oprimir' (to press) is different from 'imprimir' (to print).
Using 'oprimir' for printing
Mistake: “Quiero oprimir este documento.”
Correction: Quiero imprimir este documento. Oprimir means to press down physically, not to put ink on paper.
instar
een-STARinsˈtaɾ
Examples
El gobierno insta a los ciudadanos a reciclar más.
The government urges citizens to recycle more.
Mi jefe me instó a terminar el informe hoy mismo.
My boss pressed me to finish the report this very day.
Las autoridades instan a la calma tras el incidente.
The authorities urge for calm following the incident.
Using the 'A' Bridge
In Spanish, when you urge someone to do something, you always use the word 'a' before the person AND before the action. For example: 'Insto a María a estudiar' (I urge Maria to study).
Triggering the Special Verb Form
When you use 'instar que' to urge that someone else does something, the second verb must use the subjunctive (the special form for wishes and commands), like 'Insto a que vengas' (I urge you to come).
Forgetting the 'A'
Mistake: “Insto los alumnos estudiar.”
Correction: Insto a los alumnos a estudiar. You need 'a' before the person you are urging and 'a' before the following action.
Physical vs. Encouraging 'Press'
Related Translations
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