Japanese dictionary
How to say "sit" in Japanese
座るすわる · suwaru
To "sit" in Japanese is 座る (suwaru). To invite someone to sit, say どうぞおかけください (dōzo o-kake kudasai).
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Ways to say "sit" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 座るすわる · suwaru | To sit. |
| おかけくださいおかけください · o-kake kudasai | Please sit (polite). |
| 正座せいざ · seiza | Sitting formally on your knees. |
How to use it
"Sit on a chair" is いすに座る, with に.
Formal sitting on tatami is 正座 (seiza). In casual settings, men may sit cross-legged, あぐら.
Example sentences
- ここに座ってもいいですか。Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.May I sit here?
- どうぞおかけください。Dōzo o-kake kudasai.Please have a seat.
- 窓側の席に座りました。Madogawa no seki ni suwarimashita.I sat in a window seat.
- 正座は苦手です。Seiza wa nigate desu.I'm not good at sitting seiza.
- 足を崩してください。Ashi o kuzushite kudasai.Please sit comfortably.
- 一日中座って仕事をしています。Ichinichijū suwatte shigoto o shite imasu.I sit and work all day.
Questions
What does 足を崩してください mean?
It means "Please sit comfortably," said to guests sitting formally on tatami so they can relax their legs.
How do you ask "Is this seat taken?" in Japanese?
Ask ここ、空いていますか (koko, aite imasu ka).
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.