How to say "seat" in Japanese

• シートJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe katakana loanword, typically for the seat you sit on in a car, train, or stadium; it suggests the physical seat itself rather than a spot or reservation.
  その車くるまは３列れつのシートがあるので８人にんの客きゃくを運はこぶことが出来できる。↗

  The car has three rows of seats and is capable of carrying eight passengers.
• 席せきJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounA seat as an available place to sit: whether there are seats free on the train or in a café, taking a seat, giving one up, or saving one for someone.
  この席せきを見みていてくれませんか。↗

  Can you save this seat for me?
• 座ざCommon
  nounOn its own it is seldom the word you want for 'seat': it mostly turns up in set phrases and compounds, and standing alone it tends to mean a place or position.
• 椅子いすJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounPrimarily 'chair': the piece of furniture you sit on, a chair, stool, or bench, rather than a seat as an assigned or available spot; use it when the object itself is what you mean.
  ちょっと椅子いすをずらしてくれない？↗

  Could you move the chair a bit?
• 座席ざせきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA seat in a public place or somewhere with assigned seating — theaters, trains, stadiums; also used for 'seating', the seats a place offers.
  鞄かばんを座席ざせきの下したに置おいてください。↗

  Stick the bag down under the seat.

「シート」 is the physical seat, often in vehicles; 席 the seat as a spot to take; 椅子 the chair as furniture; 座席 seats in public or assigned-seating places; 座 chiefly set phrases.

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

• シートseat
• 席せきseat
• 座ざseat
• 椅子いすchair
• 座席ざせきseat (esp. in public places or places with assigned seating)
• 腰掛けこしかけseat
• 座面ざめんseat (of a chair)
• 観覧席かんらんせきseat
• 座部ざぶseat (of chair, bench, etc.)
• 座板ざいたseat (horizontal part of a chair)
• 床榻しょうとうbed
• 腰掛け台こしかけだいbench (i.e. for bathroom)
• 会員権かいいんけんmembership
• 位くらいthrone
• 操縦席そうじゅうせき(pilot or driver's) seat
• 据えるすえるto install
• むしろseat
• 府ふcentre (e.g. of learning)