Translation guide
The English word 'straddling' describes a physical position with legs on either side of something, or metaphorically spanning two areas, groups, or ideas. This guide helps learners express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
To sit or stand with one leg on each side of an object, such as a horse, chair, or line.
The most common verb for physically straddling something, like a horse, motorcycle, or chair. It is transitive and takes the object with に.
彼は馬にまたがった。
He straddled the horse.
子供が椅子にまたがって座っている。
The child is sitting straddling the chair.
Literally 'stand straddling', used when someone stands with legs apart over something, like a puddle or a line.
彼は水たまりをまたいで立っていた。
He was standing straddling the puddle.
Describes standing with legs wide apart, not necessarily over something. More about the stance than straddling an object.
彼は大股で立って、道をふさいだ。
He stood with his legs wide apart, blocking the path.
To be involved in or span two different areas, groups, or ideas simultaneously.
Also used metaphorically for spanning two fields, categories, or periods. Often used with にまたがる.
彼の研究は物理学と化学にまたがっている。
His research straddles physics and chemistry.
その政策は複数の省庁にまたがる問題だ。
That policy is an issue that straddles multiple ministries.
Idiomatic: 'to have a foot in both camps'. Implies being involved in two groups or activities, sometimes with a nuance of divided loyalty.
彼は二つの会社に足を突っ込んでいる。
He's straddling two companies (has a foot in both).
Literally 'to straddle a fork', but idiomatically means to two-time in romance or be double-dealing. Use with caution as it often implies infidelity.
Primarily means cheating in a relationship. Avoid using for neutral straddling of fields.
彼は彼女に二股をかけていた。
He was two-timing his girlfriend.
To be positioned across a dividing line, such as a border or a line on the ground.
Directly means 'to straddle a line'. Used for physical lines, boundaries, or rules.
彼は白線をまたいで立っていた。
He was standing straddling the white line.
Used for straddling a border or boundary, such as between countries or properties.
その町は県境にまたがっている。
The town straddles the prefectural border.
またがる (matagaru) is a stative/resultative verb meaning 'to be in a straddling position' or 'to span'. またぐ (matagu) is the action of stepping over or straddling momentarily. Use またがる for continuous states and またぐ for the motion of getting into that position.
彼は椅子にまたがった。
He got onto the chair (straddling it).
彼は椅子にまたがっている。
He is sitting straddling the chair.
The loanword ストラドル (sutoradoru) is rarely used and sounds unnatural. Stick to native Japanese expressions like またがる or またぐ.
彼はどちらにつくか決めかねて、フェンスにまたがっていた。
He was straddling the fence, unsure which side to choose.
Metaphorical fence-sitting can also be expressed with どっちつかず (dotchitsukazu).
その都市は川の両岸にまたがっている。
The city straddles the river.