Translation guide
How to express 'bend over' in Japanese, covering physical bending forward, leaning over, and related figurative uses.
To bend the upper body forward, often to pick something up, stretch, or bow.
Literally 'bend the waist/hips'. A common, neutral way to say 'bend over' for actions like picking something up.
He bent over to pick up the fallen pen.
Means 'to lean forward' or 'bend forward'. Often used for a sustained forward-leaning posture.
My back hurts when I bend over.
Literally 'bend one's body'. Slightly more formal or literary, often used for bowing or ducking.
He bent over to go through the low door.
To bend the upper body over an object, like a table or railing, often to look at or reach something.
To make a great effort or go out of one's way to help or accommodate someone.
Idiom meaning 'to make a great effort', 'to go to great lengths'. Equivalent to 'bend over backwards'.
He bent over backwards for me.
Means 'to do everything one can'. A more literal way to express going out of one's way.
To assume a position with the upper body lowered, often with sexual connotations.
Can be used in sexual contexts, but is neutral in tone. Context makes the meaning clear.
This phrase itself is not vulgar; the sexual meaning comes from context.
She bent over.
Literally 'drop the hips'. Can imply a sexual position, but also used in sports or martial arts.
Not inherently vulgar; meaning depends heavily on context.
He bent over and took a stance.
The English phrase 'bend over' can have a vulgar meaning. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent that carries the same vulgar connotation. Use context-appropriate phrases and be aware that direct translations may sound unnatural or overly clinical.
Bend over and place your hands on the floor.
She bent over backwards to help me.