Inklingo

How to Say "to pressure" in Spanish

English → Spanish

presionar

pre-syo-NARpɾesjoˈnaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'presionar' for general social or psychological influence, where someone is being urged or coerced without direct physical force.
A small, nervous-looking bird being surrounded by several larger birds all leaning in towards it.

Examples

Mi jefe me está presionando para terminar el proyecto hoy.

My boss is pressuring me to finish the project today.

Los sindicatos están presionando al gobierno.

The unions are pressuring the government.

Pressuring someone to do something

When you pressure someone 'to do' something, Spanish uses 'para que' followed by a special verb form (the subjunctive). For example: 'Me presionan para que vaya' (They pressure me to go).

apretar

ah-pree-EH-tahaˈpɾjeta

verbB1general
Use 'apretar' when the pressure involves forcing someone to act quickly, often against a deadline or to comply with a demand.
A person looking at a huge stack of papers on a desk while a hand points at a clock-less wall.

Examples

Mi jefe me aprieta para que termine el proyecto hoy.

My boss is pressuring me to finish the project today.

apurar

ah-poo-RAHRapuˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'apurar' when the pressure is about urging someone to hurry up, speed up their actions, or make a decision quickly.
A child in a bright yellow raincoat running quickly down a sidewalk, with motion lines indicating speed.

Examples

Tienes que apurar el paso si quieres llegar a tiempo.

You have to speed up your pace if you want to arrive on time.

No me apures, que estoy haciendo algo importante.

Don't rush me, I'm doing something important.

El jefe nos apuró para terminar el informe hoy.

The boss pressured us to finish the report today.

Reflexive vs. Non-reflexive

Use 'apurar' when you are rushing someone else, but 'apurarse' (with 'me', 'te', 'se') when you are rushing yourself.

Apurar with Objects

When you 'apurar' a task, you are trying to finish it quickly to meet a deadline.

Forgetting the 'se' for yourself

Mistake: “Apuro porque el bus viene.”

Correction: Me apuro porque el bus viene. (Use 'me' when you are the one doing the hurrying).

Presionar vs. Apretar for 'to pressure'

Learners often confuse 'presionar' and 'apretar'. While both can mean 'to pressure', 'presionar' is more about psychological influence, whereas 'apretar' implies a more forceful, urgent push, often related to deadlines or demands.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.