Japanese word

正座

Pronunciation

Romajiseiza

Meaning

  • nounsitting on one's heels

Example

先生の前で正座しました。sen sei no mae de sei za shi ma shi ta

I sat on my heels in front of the teacher.

Illustration for 正座 (sitting on one's heels)

More examples

畳の上では、正座をすると気持ちが引き締まります。tatami no ue de wa sei za o su ru to ki mo chi ga hi ki shi ma ri ma su

Sitting on my heels on a tatami mat makes me feel more focused.

Core concept

正座 (seiza) places the body directly over folded legs and tucked feet, creating a stable posture associated with attentive presence.

Common phrases

  • 正座が苦手sei za ga niga te

    have difficulty sitting on one's heels

Definition in Japanese

膝を折って足を体の下に入れ、かかとの上に腰を下ろして上体をまっすぐに保つ座り方。hiza o o tte ashi o karada no shita ni i re ka ka to no ue ni koshi o o ro shi te jō tai o ma ssu gu ni tamo tsu suwa ri kata

Word origin

正座 (seiza) is a Sino-Japanese compound formed from 正 (sei, "correct") and 座 (za, "seat"), giving the sense of correct sitting.

Usage tips

  • 正座 (seiza) is commonly used in tea ceremony and other traditional settings, where maintaining the posture forms part of the surrounding etiquette.

Opposites

  • あぐらaguracross-legged positionnoun

Related words

  • 正座するseizasurusit on one's heelsverb

Word lists with this word