Translation guide
The English verb "sit" covers several distinct actions and states in Japanese. The most common equivalents are 座る (to sit down, be seated), 腰を下ろす (to take a seat), and 座っている (to be sitting). The choice depends on whether you are describing the action of sitting down, the state of being seated, or idiomatic uses like sitting for an exam or a meeting.
Describing the movement from standing to sitting.
The most common verb for sitting down. Can also mean 'to be seated' in certain contexts. Intransitive.
どうぞ座ってください。
Please sit down.
彼はソファーに座った。
He sat down on the sofa.
Literally 'to lower one's hips'. A slightly more formal or descriptive way to say 'sit down'.
どうぞ腰を下ろしてください。
Please take a seat.
To take one's seat, often at a table or in a formal setting.
全員が席に着いた。
Everyone took their seats.
Describing the condition of being in a sitting position.
The te-iru form of 座る, indicating a continuous state. This is the standard way to say 'is sitting'.
彼は今、椅子に座っています。
He is sitting on a chair now.
あの人はずっと座っている。
That person has been sitting the whole time.
Literally 'is perching one's hips'. Emphasizes the state of being seated, often on a chair or bench.
彼女はベンチに腰かけていた。
She was sitting on the bench.
Sitting in the traditional Japanese manner, such as seiza or cross-legged.
To sit in the formal kneeling position (seiza).
茶道では正座します。
In tea ceremony, we sit in seiza.
To sit cross-legged. Common casual floor sitting for men.
彼はあぐらをかいてテレビを見た。
He sat cross-legged and watched TV.
To sit with legs to one side, often done by women in kimono.
彼女は横座りで座っていた。
She was sitting with her legs to the side.
Taking a test or participating in a formal assessment.
Literally 'to take/receive an exam'. The standard phrase for sitting an exam.
来週、試験を受けます。
I will sit the exam next week.
To have an interview (literally 'receive an interview').
明日、面接を受けます。
I'm sitting an interview tomorrow.
Posing for an artist or photographer.
To be a model (for a painting, photo, etc.).
彼女は画家のためにモデルになった。
She sat for the painter.
To pose (for a photo or painting).
写真のためにポーズをとった。
I sat for the photo.
Being a member of a group or holding a role.
To serve as a committee member.
彼はその委員会の委員を務めている。
He sits on the committee.
To be a member (of a group).
彼女は理事会のメンバーです。
She sits on the board.
A bird perching or an animal resting on its haunches.
For birds perching on a branch, wire, etc.
鳥が電線に止まっている。
A bird is sitting on the power line.
Can be used for animals like dogs or cats sitting on their haunches.
An object being placed or located somewhere, often unused.
Describes something that has been placed and remains there.
机の上に本が置いてある。
A book is sitting on the desk.
Simply 'to be there' for inanimate objects.
そこに箱がある。
A box is sitting there.
The English phrase 'sit an exam' does not translate to 座る. Use 試験を受ける (しけんをうける) instead. Saying 試験に座る is incorrect and confusing.
座る is the general verb for sitting down. 腰を下ろす is more descriptive and slightly formal, often used when inviting someone to sit. 席に着く specifically means taking one's assigned seat, like at a dinner table or meeting.
To describe someone currently in a seated position, use 座っている (the te-iru form). 座る alone usually refers to the action of sitting down, not the state.
彼は座って本を開いた。
He sat down and opened his book.
どうぞお好きなところに座ってください。
Please sit anywhere you like.
猫がマットの上に座っている。
The cat is sitting on the mat.
The dog is sitting quietly.