かがむ

godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb

stoop; lean over; bend forward

Describes bending the upper body forward or downward, often from a standing position, without necessarily lowering the hips fully.

• 彼かれは靴くつひもを結むすぶためにかがんだ。

  He stooped to tie his shoelaces.

• 低ひくいドアを通とおるときはかがまなければならない。

  You have to bend down when passing through the low door.

godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb

crouch; squat; bend down

Refers to lowering the body by bending the knees and hips, often to get closer to the ground or to hide.

• 子こ供どもたちは花はなをよく見みるためにかがんだ。

  The children crouched down to get a better look at the flowers.

• 彼かれは隠かくれるために茂しげみの後うしろにかがんだ。

  He crouched behind the bushes to hide.