To squat or crouch down — to bend the knees and lower oneself close to the ground (intransitive).
子どもが道ばたでしゃがんで石を集めていた。
A child was squatting by the roadside collecting stones.
写真を撮るために後ろに下がってしゃがんだ。
I stepped back and crouched down to take the photo.
寒かったので、彼はしゃがんで煙に近づいた。
He crouched down and moved closer to the fire because he was cold.