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How to Say "to squeeze" in Spanish

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apretar

ah-preh-tahrapreˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'apretar' when you are applying pressure by closing your hand around something, like a hand or an object, or when pressing a button.
A finger pressing a large, round, red button on a simple control panel.

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.

exprimir

eks-pree-MEEReks.pɾiˈmiɾ

verbA2general
Use 'exprimir' specifically when you are squeezing liquid out of something, such as fruit or a sponge.
A hand squeezing a fresh orange to extract juice into a glass.

Examples

Necesito exprimir seis limones para la limonada.

I need to squeeze six lemons for the lemonade.

Exprime bien la esponja antes de limpiar la mesa.

Squeeze the sponge well before cleaning the table.

¿Me ayudas a exprimir las naranjas?

Can you help me juice the oranges?

The 'IR' pattern

This word follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in 'ir.' If you know how to change 'vivir,' you already know how to change 'exprimir'!

Don't use it for hugs

Mistake: “Te quiero exprimir.”

Correction: Te quiero abrazar fuerte.

oprimir

oh-pree-MEERo.pɾiˈmiɾ

verbB1general
Use 'oprimir' when referring to applying firm pressure to a wound to stop bleeding or pressing a button, often in a more formal or technical context.
A close-up of a human finger pressing down on a large, bright red round button.

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.

Button Pressing Confusion

Learners often confuse 'apretar' and 'oprimir' when talking about pressing buttons. While both can be used, 'apretar' is more common in everyday speech for simple button presses, whereas 'oprimir' can sound more formal or technical.

Related Translations

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