What is the difference between 搾る and 絞る?

Question

According to JMDict both 搾る and 絞る mean squeeze. Is there a difference in their usage? I noticed that 搾る is used to describe the process of beer making, can 絞る be used alternatively in this case?

Answer 1

• 搾る = milking, squeeze,

• 絞る = wring something dry out, narrow down, (voice/volume of audio) turn down, squeeze

When you squeeze a lemon 絞る and 搾る are both right.

When you say, Turn the radio down ラジオの音量を絞る

When you say, To get milk from cow 牛乳を搾る

Answer 2

搾る = squeeze

絞る = squeeze + twist

e.g.

• 乳搾り

• 雑巾絞り