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Could someone please help me to describe this way of sitting?

enter image description here

Is there a single word for it?

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    A few words in my vocabulary that can roughly suggest this action: squat or crouch. I think it's more like a squat.
    – Damkerng T.
    Jun 25, 2014 at 10:31
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    @DamkerngT. You nailed it. Squat is the answer.
    – Maulik V
    Jun 25, 2014 at 10:46
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    @MaulikV My typical squat is a little different (it's not as neat as his :), so I guess that there might be a more specific word (or a few words) for it that could describe exactly what this man is doing. :)
    – Damkerng T.
    Jun 25, 2014 at 10:51
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    @DamkerngT. The purpose of performing squat is quite clear and thus the pose is well defined. Here, the guy is not doing any yog and thus you are finding it a bit different. But, squat is the word.
    – Maulik V
    Jun 25, 2014 at 10:54
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    This may be relevant. I'm always amazed at Asian squatting, but I'm afraid that my flexibility (like Prandelli's) doesn't go that far.
    – Nico
    Jun 25, 2014 at 12:41

1 Answer 1

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This can be called crouch, squat or stoop (down) (although the latter can also mean to bend from the hip without bending the knees).

These all have slight nuances of meaning attached to them (at least in AmEng):

crouch is used when hiding from view, as when hunting or being pursued.

squat has two colloquial meanings: (1) to take up residence in an abandoned house or other building; (2) to defecate

stoop has the figurative meaning of lowering one's standards: I won't stoop to your level!

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  • Thank you CocoPop. Would you also please explain "Hunker(down)"? Is it common? will you easily understand that(picture it in your mind) if you read it?
    – user3214
    Jun 25, 2014 at 13:27
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    Hunker down is common in Florida, where I live, and (figuratively) refers more to gathering everything you need to survive for a few days, food, candles, water, etc. and not leaving the house. I don't think I've ever heard it in reference to squatting.
    – CocoPop
    Jun 25, 2014 at 13:29
  • My pleasure. Great question :)
    – CocoPop
    Jun 25, 2014 at 13:37
  • I agree with the three words, but not with the idea that crouch has only a special meaning. It is used in the everyday generic sense to indicate this posture. Also, squat is an exercise, but the other two words are not.
    – user6951
    Jun 25, 2014 at 15:14
  • I only meant that to be one possible meaning, aside from the posture in the picture.
    – CocoPop
    Jun 25, 2014 at 15:24

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