How to say "occupy" in Japanese

• 乗っ取るのっとるJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers the forceful sense of 'occupy' — taking over something that belongs to others, such as seizing a company, an account, or an enemy position. Use it when the takeover is hostile or involuntary.
  軍ぐんが政府せいふを乗っ取のっとった。↗

  The army took over the government.
• 座るすわるJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbMatches 'occupy' only in the sense of taking a post or assuming a position or duty. It literally means to sit, so it is marginal for 'occupy' generally; think of it as 'take (a seat/post)'.
• 占めるしめるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe usual word for occupying or holding a place, position, rank, or seat, often with an implication of amount or share. Choose it for neutral statements like occupying first place or a large proportion.
  ギャンブルで味あじを占しめるとなかなか止とめられない。↗

  Once you get the taste for gambling, it's hard to give it up.

For the 'seize by force' sense use 「乗っ取る」, for holding a post or position 「座る」, and for occupying a place, seat, or share 「占める」.

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

• 乗っ取るのっとるto take possession of (forcibly)
• 乗り取るのりとるto capture
• アキュパイoccupy
• 位するくらいするto rank (as)
• 座るすわるto assume (a position)
• 収まるおさまるto settle into (one's position)
• 占めるしめるto occupy (a place, position, etc.)
• 塞ぐふさぐto occupy
• 取るとるto take up (time, space)