How to say "posture" in Japanese

• 姿勢しせいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe general word for how a person holds their body — standing or sitting straight — and, by extension, for a figurative stance or position on an issue. Usually the safest choice.
  彼かれはまっすぐな姿勢しせいで立たっていた。↗

  He stood in an upright position.
• 体勢たいせいCommon
  nounPhysical posture in the sense of the body's position or balance at a given moment, especially during movement, sport, or a fall. It does not carry the figurative 'stance' sense.
  警棒けいぼうで空そらをなぐりつけ、よろめいて体勢たいせいをたてなおしたガードマンは、自分じぶんに向むかって突進とっしんしてくる金網かなあみづくりのクズカゴを見みた。↗

  The guard's truncheon hit air. Off balance, he regained his posture to see a metal-mesh rubbish bin flying towards him.
• 態勢たいせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounPosture in the figurative sense of preparedness or readiness — the state of being organized and ready for something. It never describes a person's physical posture; for that, 姿勢 is the word.
  ５００人にんの警官けいかんが厳重げんじゅうな警備けいび態勢たいせいおかれた。↗

  500 policemen were put on strict alert.
• 格好かっこうJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounPrimarily shape, form, or overall appearance; when it means posture, it is the visible shape the body makes rather than how it is held. Seldom the neutral word you want for posture.
• 身構えみがまえCommon
  nounThe posture of someone braced or on guard, physically or mentally, in the face of a challenge or confrontation; it also covers that wary, ready attitude itself.

Use 姿勢 for physical or figurative posture in general, 体勢 for the body's position in movement, 態勢 for preparedness or readiness, 格好 for outward shape, and 「身構え」 for a braced, guarded posture.

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

• 姿勢しせいposture
• 体勢たいせいposture
• 態勢たいせいattitude
• 格好かっこうshape
• 身構えみがまえposture
• 体たいbody
• 腰ごしposture
• 腰つきこしつきgait
• スタンスstance
• 見栄みえpose
• 構えかまえposture (e.g. in martial arts)
• 体位たいいposture