Translation guide
The state or action of being seated. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs, nouns, and set phrases depending on whether you are describing the action of sitting down, the state of being seated, or formal sitting postures.
Expressing the act of moving from standing to a seated position.
The most common verb for 'to sit down'. It describes the action of lowering oneself onto a chair, floor, etc.
どうぞ座ってください。
Please sit down.
彼はソファに座った。
He sat down on the sofa.
Literally 'to lower one's hips'. A slightly more formal or descriptive way to say 'sit down', often used when someone settles into a seat.
どうぞこちらに腰を下ろしてください。
Please have a seat here.
Formal verb meaning 'to take a seat', used in ceremonies, meetings, or instructions.
全員着席してください。
Everyone, please take your seats.
Describing someone who is already in a sitting position.
The te-iru form of 座る, indicating the ongoing state of sitting. This is the most natural way to say 'is sitting'.
彼は椅子に座っている。
He is sitting on a chair.
あそこに座っている人は誰ですか。
Who is that person sitting over there?
Literally 'is resting one's hips'. Emphasizes being perched or seated, often on a chair or bench.
彼女はベンチに腰かけている。
She is sitting on a bench.
Referring to the traditional Japanese way of sitting on the floor with legs folded under the thighs.
The formal kneeling-sitting posture. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'sit in seiza'.
正座をすると足がしびれる。
My legs fall asleep when I sit in seiza.
茶室では正座してください。
Please sit in seiza in the tea room.
Describing the casual floor-sitting posture with legs crossed in front.
The common phrase for sitting cross-legged. あぐら is the posture, and かく means 'to assume'.
彼は床にあぐらをかいて座った。
He sat cross-legged on the floor.
A more casual or feminine floor-sitting posture with both legs bent to one side.
Sitting with legs tucked to the side, often considered a feminine posture. Can also be used as a verb with する.
彼女は横座りでテレビを見ている。
She is watching TV sitting with her legs to the side.
Emphasizing an upright sitting posture.
Literally 'sit while stretching one's back'. Used to describe sitting up straight with good posture.
背筋を伸ばして座りなさい。
Sit up straight.
Expressing the idea of staying in a seated position without moving.
じっと means 'still' or 'motionless'. Used when someone remains seated quietly.
子供たちはじっと座っていられない。
The children can't sit still.
The English idiom 'sitting an exam' or 'sitting in on a meeting'.
Specifically for taking an exam. Not used for physical sitting.
彼は来月試験を受験する。
He will sit the exam next month.
For 'sitting in on a meeting', use 出席する (attend).
オブザーバーとして会議に出席した。
I sat in on the meeting as an observer.
座る (suwaru) means the action of sitting down. To describe someone already seated, use 座っている (suwatte iru). Using 座る for a state is a common learner mistake.
座る is the everyday verb. 腰を下ろす is more descriptive and slightly formal, often used when inviting someone to sit. 着席する is very formal, used in schools, ceremonies, or official settings.
一日中座りっぱなしだ。
I've been sitting all day.
っぱなし expresses 'doing nothing but...' or 'leaving a state as is'.