sitzen

Sitzen is a German intransitive verb meaning to be in a seated position or to occupy a chair or place by sitting down. It can describe a physical act (to sit down) as well as a state (to be seated). The verb also extends to figurative uses, such as being located somewhere, or in certain phrases indicating persistence or constraint, for example “in der Klemme sitzen” (to be in a tight spot) or “das Sitzenbleiben” (repeating a school year).

Grammatical information: Sitzen is conjugated like a regular but irregular-minded verb in the past forms. Present tense: ich sitze, du sitzt, er/sie/es sitzt, wir sitzen, ihr sitzt, sie/Sie sitzen. Simple past (Präteritum): ich saß, du saßest, er saß, wir saßen, ihr saßt, sie/Sie saßen. Perfect: ich habe gesessen, du hast gesessen, er hat gesessen, wir haben gesessen, ihr habt gesessen, sie haben gesessen. The past participle is gesessen. The reflexive form sich setzen is used to describe the act of sitting down: Ich setze mich hin. The related noun das Sitzen denotes the act of sitting; das Sitzmöbel means a seat, and der Sitz refers to the chair or the seating area.

Common usages and expressions: A sentence such as “Ich sitze auf dem Stuhl” places the speaker physically. “Wir sitzen im Bus” describes location. “Er sitzt schon zwei Stunden am Computer.” “Jemanden sitzen lassen” means to stand someone up or to abandon someone. “Sitzenbleiben” refers to repeating a grade. In contrast, “sich setzen” emphasizes the action of choosing to sit down, whereas “sitzen” emphasizes the state of being seated.

Etymology and relatives: Sitz(en) shares a common Germanic heritage with related verbs in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch zitten and English sit. In everyday language, sitzen contrasts with the related noun der Sitz (seat) and the verb setzen (to place or to sit someone down).