Looking up...
座る
suwaru
sit down
椅子に座ってください。
Please sit down on the chair.
neutral
To rest one's weight on one's buttocks with the torso upright, supported by the buttocks and thighs, typically on a chair, bench, or the ground.
彼は疲れていたので、ソファに座った。
He was tired, so he sat on the sofa.
公園のベンチに座って本を読む。
I sit on the park bench and read a book.
Used for both temporary resting and habitual sitting. In formal contexts, 座る (suwaru) is preferred over informal forms like 腰掛ける (koshi-tsukeru).
formal
To occupy a position or role, often in a formal or metaphorical sense.
彼女は議長の座に座った。
She took the chair (assumed the position of chairperson).
王座に座る。
To sit on the throne.
Common in expressions like 王座に座る (ōza ni suwaru, 'to sit on the throne') or 役員の座に就く (yakuin no za ni tsuku, 'to take a position as an executive').
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Politeness in sitting
When entering a traditional Japanese room with tatami floors, avoid sitting with your legs stretched out. Instead, kneel (seiza) or sit cross-legged (agura) unless instructed otherwise.
Gold Rule
Verb conjugation
座る is a Godan verb (五段動詞). Its polite form is 座ります (suwarimasu), negative form is 座らない (suwara-nai), and past form is 座った (suwatta).
Word Origin
From Old Japanese 座 (suwa), with the verb suffix る (-ru). The kanji 座 is derived from Chinese 坐 (zuò, 'to sit'), which combines 人 ('person') and 土 ('earth/ground'), suggesting the act of sitting on the ground.
Usage Notes
In Japanese culture, sitting posture varies by context. For example, 正座 (seiza) is kneeling formally, while 背筋を伸ばして座る (haikin o nobashite suwaru) means to sit upright with good posture. The verb 座る is neutral and widely applicable.
Word Breakdown
座
to sit
rootる
verb suffix indicating present/future tense
suffix和英辞典