座る・坐る|すわるsuwaru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
座る座る is the most common and most standard form; beginners should use it as their default choice in general Japanese.
坐る坐る is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant of 座る; you may encounter it, but it is not the form learners normally need to choose.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto sit (down); to have a seat; to be seated; to kneel (on the floor)
- godan verb, intransitive verbto assume (a position); to take on (a duty); to occupy (a post)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 座る（すわる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 座ります（すわります） |
| Negative (nai) | 座らない（すわらない） |
| polite (masen) | 座りません（すわりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 座らず・座らぬ（すわらず・すわらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 座った（すわった） |
| polite (mashita) | 座りました（すわりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 座らなかった（すわらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 座りませんでした（すわりませんでした） |
| Te form | 座って（すわって） |
| Potential | 座れる（すわれる） |
| Passive | 座られる（すわられる） |
| Causative | 座らせる（すわらせる） |
| Causative passive | 座らせられる・座らされる（すわらせられる・すわらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 座れば（すわれば） |
| tara | 座ったら（すわったら） |
| Volitional | 座ろう（すわろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 座りましょう（すわりましょう） |
| Imperative | 座れ（すわれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym腰掛けるこしかけるNeutralSits on a chair or other raised spot with the legs hanging down; not used for kneeling on tatami. Neutral in register.
- Synonym着座ちゃくざFormalFormal term for taking one's seat, used mainly at ceremonies and meetings.
- Synonym着席ちゃくせきFormalFormal term for taking one's seat, as in 「ご着席ください」; often heard in announcements.
- Synonym座するざするWrittenWritten/formal prose for sitting, as in 「座して待つ」; also covers being implicated in something. Everyday speech uses 「座る」.
- Synonym座すざすWrittenA literary form of 「座する」 with an even stronger written flavor; not used in everyday speech.
- Antonym立つたつNeutralThe opposite of 「座る」: to stand or rise to one's feet.
For sitting down, 「座る」 is the default. Use 「腰掛ける」 for sitting on a chair with the legs down, 「着席」 when formally asking people to be seated, and 「立つ」 for standing up.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
