Translation guide
The physical action of crouching or sitting on one's heels, and the related concept of occupying an empty building or land without permission.
Describing the action or state of sitting in a deep crouch, often with feet flat on the ground.
The most common verb for squatting down, often used for a temporary action.
彼は道端にしゃがんで休んだ。
He squatted by the roadside to rest.
Implies squatting or crouching in a huddled, often defensive or miserable posture.
寒さで彼は隅にうずくまった。
He crouched in the corner because of the cold.
Emphasizes squatting down and staying in that position for a while.
子供たちは地面にしゃがみ込んで虫を観察した。
The children squatted down on the ground and observed the insects.
Also used in compound verbs like しゃがみ歩き (squat-walking).
狭い通路をしゃがみ歩きで進んだ。
We moved through the narrow passage by squat-walking.
Describing the formal or traditional way of sitting with legs folded under the body, often on tatami.
The formal Japanese sitting posture with legs folded under the thighs. Not exactly 'squatting' but often translated as such in certain contexts.
茶道では正座をします。
In tea ceremony, we sit in seiza (formal kneeling posture).
General verb for sitting, can include squatting on the floor in casual contexts.
Living in or using an empty building or unused land without the owner's permission.
The legal term for squatting or illegal occupation of property.
その建物は不法占拠されている。
That building is being squatted in.
Colloquial phrase meaning to move into and live in an empty house without permission.
彼らは空き家に住み着いた。
They squatted in an empty house.
Occupation or squatting, often used in protest contexts.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like 'cyber squatting' (ドメイン不法占拠).
ドメインのスコッティングは問題になっている。
Domain squatting has become a problem.
The physical exercise of bending the knees and lowering the body, then standing up again.
The standard loanword for the exercise 'squat'.
毎日スクワットを30回やっています。
I do 30 squats every day.
しゃがむ means to squat on your heels, while 座る means to sit down (on a chair or floor). Using 座る for squatting can cause confusion.
しゃがむ is a neutral squat, while うずくまる implies a huddled, often miserable or defensive crouch.
彼は隅にしゃがんでいた。
He was squatting in the corner.
この国では不法占拠は違法です。
Squatting is illegal in this country.
Let's sit on the floor and talk.
The students squatted in the university building.