Translation guide
The English word 'occupying' can refer to taking up space, time, or attention, as well as holding a position or place. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these meanings.
To say that something or someone is filling or using a physical area, such as a room, seat, or land.
Used when something occupies a certain amount of space, area, or proportion. Often used with percentages or portions.
この部屋は本棚が大部分を占めている。
Bookshelves occupy most of this room.
Means to block or fill up a space, often implying obstruction. Used for occupying a seat, doorway, or path.
荷物が通路をふさいでいる。
Baggage is occupying the aisle.
To take up a position or occupy a spot, often with a sense of staking a claim. Casual and somewhat assertive.
先に来た人たちが良い席を陣取っていた。
The people who arrived earlier had occupied the good seats.
To say that an activity, thought, or task is using up someone's time or mental focus.
Also used for occupying time or a large part of one's life/thoughts. Often with words like 時間 (time) or 心 (mind).
仕事が彼の生活の大半を占めている。
Work occupies most of his life.
Literally 'time is taken', meaning to be occupied by something that demands time, often with a nuance of inconvenience.
家事に時間を取られて、趣味ができない。
I'm so occupied with housework that I can't do my hobbies.
To say that someone holds a particular job, office, or status.
Used when someone assumes or occupies a position, such as a job or role. Often in the form 〜に就く.
彼は社長の座に就いている。
He occupies the position of company president.
Can be used for occupying a rank or position, especially in competitive contexts.
A formal pattern meaning 'to be in the position of'. Suitable for official or written contexts.
彼は大臣の地位にある。
He occupies the position of minister.
To say that a military force or group takes control of an area.
The standard term for military occupation. Used for countries, territories, or buildings.
その国は敵軍に占領された。
The country was occupied by enemy forces.
To occupy a place by force, often used for protests, sit-ins, or seizing buildings.
学生たちが大学の建物を占拠した。
The students occupied the university building.
While 占める can mean 'occupy', it is not used for a person simply sitting in a chair. Use 座っている (sitting) or ふさぐ (blocking) instead. Saying 彼が椅子を占めている sounds unnatural.
彼がその椅子に座っている。
He is occupying that chair. (natural)
占める is neutral and often used for proportions or large areas. ふさぐ implies filling a space to the point of obstruction or making it unavailable.
家具が部屋の半分を占めている。
Furniture occupies half the room. (neutral)
荷物が入り口をふさいでいる。
Baggage is occupying (blocking) the entrance.
Means 'can't free one's hands', used when you are occupied with a task and cannot do something else.
今、手が離せないので、後で電話します。
I'm occupied right now, so I'll call you later.
She occupies the top spot in the rankings.