How to say "kneel" in Japanese

• ひざまずくCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'kneel' as a deliberate gesture of respect or reverence: going down on the knees, as in genuflecting or kneeling before a superior — the act of kneeling down, not merely a sitting posture.
  彼女かのじょはひざまずいて神かみに祈いのりをささげた。↗

  She prayed to God on her knees.
• 座るすわるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbMeans 'to sit'. Its 'kneel' sense covers the floor-sitting posture, resting on the heels, that English calls kneeling; for kneeling down as a gesture of respect, it is not the word you want.
  数すう人にんの学生がくせいがベンチに座すわり、昼食ちゅうしょくを食たべていた。↗

  Some students were sitting on the bench and having lunch.

Use 「ひざまずく」 when 'kneel' means the deliberate gesture of going down on the knees in respect or reverence; use 「座る」 only for the floor-sitting posture English calls kneeling, since it basically means 'to sit'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ひざまずくto kneel (in respect)
• 座るすわるto sit (down)
• 膝を折るひざをおるto bend the knee