How to say "stance" in Japanese

• スタンスCommon
  nounCovers the figurative sense: a person's or group's stance or standpoint on an issue. A loanword that tracks the English word closely, typical in discussion of policies and debates.
• 体勢たいせいCommon
  nounCovers only the physical sense: the posture or position of the body, as in sport or physical contest. It is not the word for a figurative stance on an issue.
  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.
• 姿勢しせいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers both senses: the literal posture of the body, and a figurative stance or attitude in tackling something. Use it when 'stance' concerns how one engages with an activity or effort.
  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.
• 態度たいどJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers the figurative sense broadly: one's attitude, position, or stance toward an issue, and also outward manner toward people. The natural choice when 'stance' means a settled attitude rather than bodily posture.
  加盟国かめいこく中ちゅう数カ国すうかこくは、Ｇ７の協定きょうていに従したがうことにあいまいな態度たいどを見みせています。↗

  Some member countries have been lax in abiding by G-7 agreements.

For a figurative stance on an issue choose 「スタンス」 or 態度; 姿勢 covers both bodily posture and a figurative attitude, while 体勢 is confined to physical posture and position.

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

• スタンスstance
• 体勢たいせいposture
• 姿勢しせいposture
• 態度たいどattitude (towards an issue, etc.)
• 構えかまえposture (e.g. in martial arts)
• 旗幟きし(one's) stance
• 立ち位置たちいちposition