Sit by Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɪt/ /ˈbaɪ
SIT-bye
sˈɪt/ /bˈaɪ
SIT-bye
Definition
To be seated next to someone or something; also, to do nothing while something happens, especially when you could help.
Usage & Nuances
"Sit by" can be literal (physical position) or figurative (not taking action). Often appears as "sit by and watch" or "sit by while..." in negative contexts, suggesting passivity. The figurative sense is less formal. Do not confuse with "sit beside" (only physical).
Spanish: sentarse junto a - quedarse sentado sin hacer nadaPortuguese (BR): sentar-se ao lado de - ficar parado(a) sem agirPortuguese (PT): sentar-se ao lado de - ficar parado sem agirChinese (Simplified): 坐在旁边 - 袖手旁观Chinese (Traditional): 坐在旁邊 - 袖手旁觀Hindi: बगल में बैठना - चुपचाप देखनाArabic: الجلوس بجانب - يكتفي بالمراقبةBengali: পাশে বসা - কিছু না করা (নিষ্ক্রিয় থাকা)Russian: сидеть рядом - бездействоватьJapanese: そばに座る - 何もしないでいるVietnamese: ngồi cạnh - khoanh tay đứng nhìnKorean: 옆에 앉다 - 가만히 있다Turkish: yanında oturmak - seyirci kalmakUrdu: پاس بیٹھنا - کچھ نہ کرنا (خاموش تماشائی رہنا)Indonesian: duduk di samping - berdiam diri
Example Sentences
You can sit by me during lunch.
basic
She likes to sit by the window and read.
basic
Please don't just sit by if you see someone needs help.
basic
I can't just sit by and watch things get worse.
natural
Sometimes it's nice to just sit by the fire and relax.
natural
We shouldn't sit by while others do all the work.
natural