Translation guide
The English verb "stand" covers many physical and metaphorical meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical uses for learners, from standing up to enduring situations, with natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing the physical action of being upright or getting up.
Causing an object to be in a vertical position.
Transitive verb meaning to stand something up, set upright.
Describing where something is situated, often in a somewhat formal or written style.
Used for buildings or structures being built or standing. Intransitive.
Expressing the ability or inability to bear something unpleasant.
To endure, put up with. Often used in negative form: 我慢できない (can't stand).
Expressing support, adherence, or a stance on an issue.
To support, back up. Used for standing by a person, idea, or policy.
Describing a state of readiness, accusation, etc., often with adjectives or participles.
Being prominent or easily seen.
To stand out, be conspicuous.
What an abbreviation or symbol represents.
To represent, stand for.
English 'can't stand' meaning strong dislike is not expressed with 立つ. Use 我慢できない or 耐えられない.
I can't stand him.
立つ (intransitive) is for oneself or something standing; 立てる (transitive) is for making something stand. Similar pairs: 建つ/建てる for buildings.
After falling, he stood up immediately.
I stood the book on the desk.
To stand up a signboard.
駅の前に新しいビルが建った。
A new building stands in front of the station.
Can also be used for objects standing, but 建つ is more specific to buildings.
A tower stands on top of the mountain.
Implies towering or rising high, often used for mountains or tall buildings.
Mt. Fuji stands beautifully.
I can't stand his attitude.
I stood the pain.
To bear, withstand, often used for physical or emotional hardship. More formal than 我慢する.
He stood the suffering.
Pattern meaning 'cannot stand/endure something'. The potential negative form of 耐える.
I can't stand this heat.
I stand by his opinion.
To take a stand/position on something.
He took a neutral stand on the issue.
To side with, stand by someone in a conflict or difficulty.
I stand by my friend.
More literal 'to be in a state of'. Formal.
He stands accused.
She stands out in a crowd.
To be prominent, striking, especially in comparison to others.
His talent stands out.
UN stands for United Nations.
To be an abbreviation for.
"ID" stands for "identification."