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.
He bent down to tie his shoelaces.
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.
He bent down to pass through the low entrance.
Specifically bending at the waist/hips. Often used when bowing or lowering the torso.
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.
He crouched down by the roadside to rest.
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.
To lower the head or upper body as a gesture of respect, greeting, or apology.
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.
bend down to put on shoes
crouch down to take a photo
He was scared and crouched down in the corner.
Literally 'lower one's head', used for bowing or showing deference.
He bowed deeply and apologized.