7.1 Posture

Use this domain for general words indicating the posture or stance of a person's body. Use the domains in this section for specific words for postures and for moving parts of the body. Many of these words have two meanings. One meaning is stative, indicating that the body is in a particular posture, but not moving. The other meaning is active, indicating that the person is moving his body into a particular posture. Some of these words can be used of animals or even things, if the things are perceived as being similar in posture to that of a human body.

OMC Codes: 
516 Postures
Louw Nida Codes: 
17 Stances and Events Related to Stances
  • What general words refer to a person's posture?
    posture, stance, pose, position
  • What general words refer to changing your posture?
    change your posture/stance, pose, shift, squirm
  • 7.1.1 Stand

    Use this domain for words related to standing. The words in this domain may include whether the person is standing on one foot or two, whether the person's feet are together or placed apart, whether something is between the person's feet, how fast the person stands up.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17A Stand x
  • What words refer to being in a standing position?
    stand, be standing, be on your feet
  • What words refer to standing up from a sitting or lying position?
    stand, stand up, rise (to your feet), get up, get to your feet, jump to your feet, leap up, leap out of the chair, pick yourself up
  • How do people stand?
    stand on one leg, straddle, stand on tiptoes
  • What words refer to causing someone to stand?
    stand someone up, raise someone to their feet, help someone up
  • What words refer to standing near something?
    stand around, stand together
  • How do you order someone to stand?
    on your feet
  • 7.1.2 Sit

    Use this domain for words referring to sitting and squatting.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17B Sit x
  • What words refer to being in a sitting position?
    be sitting, be seated
  • What words describe how a person is sitting?
    sit with your legs crossed, sit cross-legged, sit back, settle back, sit up, sit up straight, sit forward, be on the edge of your seat, sit astride, straddle, sit still, sit around, curl up, perch
  • What words refer to sitting down from a standing position?
    sit, sit down, be seated, take your seat
  • What words refer to sitting up from a lying position?
    sit up
  • What words describe how a person sits down?
    sit slowly, sink (down) into, ease into your chair, lower oneself, sit abruptly, flop down, plunk down, plop down
  • What words refer to causing someone to sit?
    seat someone, show someone to their seat
  • What words refer to squatting?
    squat (down), sit on your haunches, sit back on your heels
  • What words refer to sitting on something?
    sit on, mount
  • What words refer to the place where you sit?
    seat, perch, place
  • What do you say to someone when you want them to sit down?
    sit down, take a seat, have a seat, please be seated
  • 7.1.3 Lie down

    Use this domain for words referring to lying down.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17G Lie x
    17F Recline x
  • What words refer to lying down from a standing or sitting positions?
    lie, lie down, lie back, recline, stretch out, sprawl, prostrate
  • What words describe how a person lies down?
    flop down, fall into bed
  • What words refer to being in a lying position?
    lie, be lying down, lay, be prone, recumbent, repose
  • What words describe how a person is lying?
    lie on your back/front/side, stretched out, spread-eagled, sprawled, flat out, reclining
  • What words refer to getting up from lying down?
    get up, get out of bed, sit up
  • What words refer to causing someone to lie down?
    lay someone (down/somewhere)
  • What words refer to the place where a person lies?
    bed
  • 7.1.4 Kneel

    Use this domain for words referring to kneeling.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17C Kneel x
  • What words refer to kneeling down?
    kneel, kneel down, get down on your knees, bend the knee, go down on one knee, sink to your knees
  • What words refer to being in a kneeling position?
    be kneeling, be down on your knees
  • 7.1.5 Bow

    Use this domain for words referring to bowing to someone--to face someone and lower your head or bend at the waist so that your upper body is lowered. The words in this domain should all be symbolic acts, that is, the culture assigns a meaning and significance to the physical action. Some cultures define it as a greeting, as an act of respect, or as an act of submission. For instance in ancient middle eastern culture bowing was an act of submission done in the presence of the king. Failure to bow was an act of rebellion punishable by death. In far eastern culture it is a greeting. In African culture it is an act of respect or done to welcome a visitor. Cultures define how a person is to bow, for instance how they are to hold their hands. A person may bow while standing, or may kneel, or even prostrate himself flat on his face. Whether both people bow is also significant. The depth of the bow can have significance. In Japan the person of lower social rank must bow deeper. In European culture a performer bows to acknowledge applause.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17E Prostrate as an Act of Reverence or Supplication x
  • What words refer to bowing?
    bow, bow down, bow to/before someone
  • What words describe how a person bows?
    sweeping bow, bow low, deep bow, slight bow, bow your head, his head fell, incline your head, nod, curtsy, genuflect, kowtow, prostrate, grovel
  • What words indicate the significance of the bow?
    obeisance, worship, bow in submission/reverence/greeting
  • 7.1.6 Lean

    Use this domain for words describing a person who is leaning.

  • What words refer to leaning against something?
    lean, lean on, lean against, lean back, rest against, recline
  • What words describe something that is leaning?
    leaning, lean forward, lean towards, lean over
  • 7.1.7 Straight posture

    Use this domain for words referring to straight posture--holding your body straight, stiff, or erect, rather than relaxed.

  • What words describe someone who is in a straight posture?
    straight posture, stand at attention, stand/sit stiffly, erect
  • What words refer to changing your posture so that it is straight?
    straighten up, sit up straight, stand up straight
  • 7.1.7.1 Relaxed posture

    Use this domain for words describing a relaxed posture.

  • What words refer to a relaxed posture?
    relaxed (posture), (stand/be) at ease, be a slouch, slouch around, lounge, sprawl, droop, sag, loll
  • What words refer to changing your posture so that it is relaxed?
    relax (your posture), slouch, lean back, slump
  • 7.1.8 Bend down

    Use this domain for words referring to bending down--to bend your body so that it is closer to the ground (in order to see something, pick up something, or hide).

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    17H Bend Over, Straighten Up x
  • What words refer to bending down?
    bend, bend down, bend over, bob, bow, cower, crouch, double up, duck, get down, hunch, hunker down, lean over, scrunch, stoop,
  • What words describe someone who is bent over?
    bent, stooped, hunched over, humpback, crooked,
  • What words refer to straightening up?
    straighten up, rear up
  • 7.1.9 Move a part of the body

    Use this domain for words referring to moving various parts of the body.

  • What words refer to moving a part of your body forward or out?
    extend, hold out, put out, stick out, stretch,
  • What words refer to moving the head?
    shake, nod, throw (head) back, bow, hang, hold high, crane (neck),
  • What words refer to moving parts of the face (other than eyes, ears, nose, and mouth)?
    raise (eyebrows), jut (chin)
  • What words refer to moving your arms and shoulders?
    shrug (shoulders), raise (arm), salute, shake (fist), clench (fist), fold (arms), cross (arms), crook (arm/finger), crack (knuckles), spread (arms/fingers), hold up your hands, fold your arms, cross your arms,
  • What words refer to moving your legs?
    kick, stamp, bend, shake, twist (ankle), cross (your legs), wiggle (toes)
  • What words refer to moving your torso?
    sway (hips), rotate (hips), suck in (stomach), stick out (chest), straighten (back), bend (back), bow (at the waist), double up, twist, curl up,
  • What words refer to moving your muscles?
    flex (muscles), ripple, contract, tighten, tense, relax, bunch up, cramp, twitch, stretch, tear, pull, bulge, spasm, convulsion,
  • What words refer to when your body shakes?
    shake, quiver, tremble, have the chills, quake, shiver
  • What words refer to moving suddenly?
    jerk, twitch,