Japanese word

たたずむ

Pronunciation

Romajitatazumu

Meaning

  • verbstand still

Example

彼は駅前に静かにたたずみます。kare wa eki mae ni shizu ka ni ta ta zu mi ma su

He stands quietly in front of the station.

Illustration for たたずむ (stand still)

More examples

駅の入り口で、旅行者がしばらくたたずんでいます。eki no i ri guchi de ryo kō sha ga shi ba ra ku ta ta zu n de i ma su

A traveler has been standing still at the entrance of the station.

Core concept

Describes remaining quietly in one place, often with a reflective or atmospheric presence rather than simply being unable to move.

Common phrases

  • 水辺にたたずむmizu be ni ta ta zu mu

    stand still by the water

  • 静かにたたずむshizu ka ni ta ta zu mu

    stand quietly

Similar words

立ち止まるtachidomaru: To stop walking and remain standing in one place, usually for a short time.
立ち尽くすtachitsukusu: To remain standing without moving, often because of shock, confusion, or helplessness.

Definition in Japanese

静かに立ったまま、その場にしばらくいる。shizu ka ni ta tta ma ma so no ba ni shi ba ra ku i ru

Word origin

たたずむ (tatazumu) is a native Japanese verb traditionally connected with 立ち住む (tachisumu, "to stand and remain"), which combines the ideas of standing and staying.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese prose, たたずむ (tatazumu) often places a quiet figure in a landscape, so translating it as "loiter" can sound too aimless or negative.

Other meanings

  • lingerverb
  • loiterverb

Opposites

Related words

  • たたずまいtatazumaiappearancenoun
  • たたずみtatazumistanding stillnoun

Word lists with this word