verb
to press, to push, to squeeze
A1
drücken means to press, to push or to squeeze. It’s a regular weak verb (Perfekt: gedrückt) using auxiliary haben. Non‑reflexive and not separable. Commonly used with auf + accusative (auf den Knopf drücken). Forms include drück-, imperative drück!, and full passive built from gedrückt.
Examples
Bitte drücken Sie den Knopf.
Please press the button.
Sie drückte den Knopf, obwohl niemand erwartete, dass etwas passieren würde.
She pressed the button although nobody expected that anything would happen.
Er drückt die Tür, damit sie sich öffnet.
He pushes the door so that it opens.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a finger pressing a button until a little 'druck' (pressure) sound pops — the finger 'drückt' the button.
Sounds like 'drew-ken' — imagine 'drawing' (drew) someone toward you to press them lightly.
Notes
Used for physical actions (pressing a button, pushing a door) and for squeezing (tubes, etc.). Can also be used figuratively (e.g., jemanden drücken = to press someone). Not separable. Perfect tense is formed with 'haben' (gedrückt).