Translation guide
How to express 'stoop' in Japanese, covering physical posture, architectural features, and figurative meanings.
Describing a person bending their upper body forward and downward, often due to age, habit, or to avoid something.
Literally 'cat back', this is the most common word for a stooped or hunched posture, especially as a permanent or habitual condition.
Means 'to round one's back', describing the action of stooping or hunching over. Can be used for temporary or habitual postures.
I stooped because it was cold.
He always walks with a stoop.
Means 'leaning forward' or 'bending forward'. Often used for a temporary stoop, like when working at a desk or picking something up.
A stooped posture is bad for your back.
Literally 'to bend one's hips', meaning to stoop or bend down, often from the waist. Used for deliberate actions like bowing or ducking.
He stooped to tie his shoelaces.
A verb meaning 'to stoop', 'to bend down', or 'to crouch'. Often used for lowering one's body, but less specific to a hunched back than 猫背.
He stooped to pick up the coin.
Referring to a small raised platform or set of steps leading to a building entrance.
A common term combining 'genkan' (entrance) with the English loanword 'porch'. Refers to a small covered area or steps at the front door.
He was sitting on the stoop.
The raised threshold or step at a Japanese entrance where you take off shoes. It functions like a stoop in traditional architecture.
General word for 'stairs' or 'steps'. Can be used for the steps leading to a building, but lacks the specific nuance of a small porch.
To do something considered beneath one's dignity or standards.
Literally 'to drop oneself', meaning to stoop to a lower level, often morally or socially. Implies a loss of status or dignity.
He shouldn't have stooped to such dishonesty.
Means 'to go that far', often used to express that someone has stooped to a surprising or unacceptable action.
I never thought he would stoop to lying.
Literally 'to drop one's dignity', a more formal way to say stoop to something undignified.
The rapid downward dive of a bird of prey.
猫背 (nekoze) describes a permanent or habitual stooped posture, like a condition. 背中を丸める (senaka o marumeru) describes the action of rounding one's back, which can be temporary. Use 猫背 for 'He has a stoop' and 背中を丸める for 'He stooped to pick it up'.
He has a stoop (permanent).
He stooped over his book (temporary action).
There is no single Japanese noun that covers all meanings of 'stoop'. Avoid directly translating 'stoop' as a noun; instead, use the appropriate word or phrase based on context (posture, architecture, moral action, etc.).
I sat on the stoop and took off my shoes.
家の前の階段に座った。
I sat on the stoop in front of the house.
He didn't stoop so low as to seek money at the cost of his dignity.
The hawk's stoop was magnificent.