Translation guide
How to express 'slouch' in Japanese, covering poor posture, a lazy person, and the verb form.
Describing a drooping or hunched posture, or the act of standing/sitting with poor posture.
Literally 'cat back', this is the most common and natural way to describe a hunched back or slouching posture. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to slouch'.
Referring to a person who is lazy, idle, or does not work hard.
Describing the action of moving in a lazy, drooping manner, or hanging down loosely.
To laze around, to be sluggish. Often used for spending time idly without purpose.
休日は家でだらだらしていた。
I slouched around the house on my day off.
To hang loosely, to dangle; also to loaf around. Can describe both physical drooping and aimless wandering.
猫背 specifically means a hunched back (kyphosis), while 姿勢が悪い is a broader term for bad posture, which can include slouching, leaning, or uneven shoulders. Use 猫背 when the rounded back is the main issue.
猫背を治すエクササイズ
Exercises to fix slouching
姿勢が悪いと疲れやすい。
If you have bad posture, you get tired easily.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'slouch'. Translating 'He slouched in his chair' directly as 彼は椅子にslouchした will not be understood. Use descriptive phrases like 猫背で座る (sit with a hunched back) or だらっと座る (sit lazily).
He has a slouch.
猫背を直したい。
I want to fix my slouch.
Describes the state of having a rounded back. More descriptive than 猫背, often used in health or posture advice.
背中が丸まっていると、肩がこりますよ。
If you slouch, your shoulders will get stiff.
General phrase for 'bad posture', which includes slouching. Often used in everyday conversation.
姿勢が悪いよ。背筋を伸ばして。
You're slouching. Straighten your back.
Leaning forward, often used for a slouching posture when sitting or standing. More specific than 猫背.
前かがみの姿勢は腰に悪い。
A slouching posture is bad for your lower back.
Standard word for a lazy person. Can be used in various contexts, from mild teasing to serious criticism.
彼は怠け者だから、仕事が遅い。
He's a slouch, so his work is slow.
Colloquial term for a lazy person, often implying a lack of motivation or a habit of lounging around. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
あいつは本当にぐうたらだ。
That guy is a real slouch.
Means 'incompetent' or 'inefficient'. Stronger than 怠け者, implying lack of ability rather than just laziness. Use with caution.
Can be very harsh. Use only when you mean 'incompetent', not just 'lazy'.
彼は無能な社員だ。
He's a slouch of an employee.
He slouched around all day.
To hang one's head, to look down. Can imply a slouching posture of the head due to sadness or shame.
彼は恥ずかしそうにうつむいた。
He slouched his head in embarrassment.