Meaning

Primary

Seiza

Alternative

Traditional Japanese Sitting

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

The correct way to sit is this way: traditional Japanese sitting (this is when you sit on your legs and your feet, kneeling). You can also call it seiza. Learning the reading will help with the meaning.

Reading

せいざ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Context Sentences

何でそんなに長い間正座できるの?

How can you sit seiza for that long?

正座させられると思っていましたが、仏僧のように心が広いコウイチは、私のちこくを許してくれました。

I thought Koichi would make me do seiza, but he was as generous as a Buddhist priest and excused me for being late.

法要の間長時間正座をしていたので、足がすごく痺れています。

I knelt in seiza for so long during the Buddhist memorial service that my legs were completely numb.

Kanji Composition