“To sit” in Japanese is 座る (すわる), pronounced suwaru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To sit down. The seat takes に: いすに座る.
Example sentences
- どうぞ座ってください。どうぞすわってください。Please have a seat.
- ここに座ってもいいですか。ここにすわってもいいですか。May I sit here?
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 座る. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 座る すわる | sit |
| Polite present | 座ります すわります | sit |
| Polite negative | 座りません すわりません | don’t sit |
| Polite past | 座りました すわりました | past of “sit” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 座らない すわらない | don’t sit (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 座った すわった | past of “sit” (casual) |
| て-form | 座って すわって | sit and… / please sit (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 座りたい すわりたい | want to sit |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to sit in Japanese?
To sit in Japanese is 座る (すわる), pronounced “suwaru”.
How do you write to sit in Japanese?
It's written 座る with kanji, or すわる in hiragana. Both are read suwaru.
Is 座る on the JLPT?
Yes. 座る (suwaru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.