Translation guide
The English word "position" covers many meanings, from physical location to job title, stance, and situation. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese equivalents by meaning, helping you choose the right word for each context.
Describing where something or someone is located.
General term for position or location, often used for coordinates, maps, or relative placement.
地図で現在位置を確認してください。
Please check your current position on the map.
Means place or location, more casual and common for everyday spots.
集合場所はどこですか？
Where is the meeting place?
Loanword from English, used in sports, games, or casual contexts for position or role.
Referring to someone's job title, status, or role in an organization.
Expressing one's stance, attitude, or opinion on an issue.
Means standpoint or position in terms of opinion, situation, or role. Very common.
Describing a state of affairs or condition someone is in.
Referring to how the body is placed or held.
Means posture or bodily position, also used for attitude.
Describing placement in a race, contest, or ranking.
Means ranking or standing in a competition.
位置 is more precise and often used for coordinates or relative position, while 場所 is a general word for place or location. Use 位置 for maps, GPS, or technical contexts; use 場所 for everyday locations.
GPSで位置を確認する。
Check the position with GPS.
待ち合わせ場所を決めよう。
Let's decide on a meeting place.
ポジション is a loanword and sounds casual or specific to sports/games. In formal or business contexts, use 役職, 地位, or 立場 instead.
サッカーでの彼のポジションはフォワードです。
His position in soccer is forward.
Formal term for an official position or post within a company or organization.
彼は部長の役職に就いています。
He holds the position of department manager.
Refers to social standing, status, or rank, often with a nuance of prestige.
彼は会社で高い地位を得た。
He gained a high position in the company.
Means job or employment, often used in compounds like 職に就く (to get a job).
新しい職を探しています。
I'm looking for a new position.
Loanword meaning post or position, common in business contexts.
重要なポストに任命された。
He was appointed to an important position.
私の立場を理解してください。
Please understand my position.
Refers to attitude or posture, often used for a principled stance.
彼は常に正直な姿勢を貫いている。
He always maintains an honest position.
Formal term for opinion or view, used in official statements.
この問題に関する政府の見解は？
What is the government's position on this issue?
General word for situation or circumstances.
現在の状況を説明してください。
Please explain the current position (situation).
Focuses on state or condition, often physical or mental.
彼は危険な状態にある。
He is in a dangerous position.
Refers to one's circumstances or lot in life, often with emotional nuance.
彼女は恵まれない境遇に育った。
She grew up in an unfortunate position.
正しい姿勢で座ってください。
Please sit in a correct position.
Medical or technical term for body position, also used in sexual contexts.
手術中は特定の体位を保つ必要がある。
During surgery, you need to maintain a specific position.
彼は現在3位の順位にいます。
He is currently in third position.
Suffix for rank or place, e.g., 1位 (first place).
彼女は1位になった。
She took first position.