Translation guide
How to express 'bend down' in Japanese, covering physical actions like stooping, crouching, and bowing.
To bend the upper body forward or downward, e.g., to pick something up or avoid hitting your head.
General verb for bending forward or stooping. Often used when lowering your head or upper body.
彼は靴ひもを結ぶためにかがんだ。
He bent down to tie his shoelaces.
天井が低いので、かがまないと頭をぶつける。
The ceiling is low, so you'll hit your head if you don't bend down.
Literally 'bend one's body', slightly more formal or descriptive than かがむ alone.
彼は低い入り口を通るために身をかがめた。
He bent down to pass through the low entrance.
Specifically bending at the waist/hips. Often used when bowing or lowering the torso.
お辞儀をするときは腰をかがめます。
When bowing, you bend at the waist.
To lower the body by bending the knees, often to get closer to the ground or rest.
Standard verb for crouching or squatting down, bending the knees deeply.
彼は道端にしゃがんで休んだ。
He crouched down by the roadside to rest.
子供が地面にしゃがんで虫を見ている。
The child is squatting on the ground watching bugs.
To crouch or huddle down, often with a nuance of hiding, fear, or cold. More curled up than しゃがむ.
Specifically bending over to lift an object from the ground.
Natural phrase combining 'bend down' and 'pick up'.
落としたペンを拾うためにかがんだ。
I bent down to pick up the pen I dropped.
Crouch down and pick up, implying a deeper knee bend.
彼はしゃがんでコインを拾った。
He crouched down and picked up the coin.
To lower the head or upper body as a gesture of respect, greeting, or apology.
To bow. The standard expression for a respectful bow.
日本人は挨拶のときにお辞儀をします。
Japanese people bow when greeting.
Literally 'lower one's head', used for bowing or showing deference.
彼は深く頭を下げて謝った。
He bowed deeply and apologized.
かがむ focuses on bending the upper body forward, while しゃがむ involves bending the knees deeply to lower the whole body. Use かがむ for stooping under a low doorway, and しゃがむ for squatting on the ground.
かがんで靴を履く
bend down to put on shoes
しゃがんで写真を撮る
crouch down to take a photo
彼は怖くて隅にうずくまった。
He was scared and crouched down in the corner.