It is a noun that has two meanings. The first meaning is "position" that is used to describe a situation that someone is in. The second meaning is “standpoint” that is used to describe a position from which things are considered.
Meg has been helping earthquake victims for several years.
- Amy: It’s important to help others when they are in a difficult situation, but it’s really difficult to keep supporting earthquake victims. I’m proud of you.
困っている時は、お互いに助け合う事が重要だけど、地震の被災者を助け続ける事は大変です。すごいね。 - Meg: Thank you. I suffered from the huge earthquake when I was a child, so I can think from their perspectives. I know what kind of things that they need.
ありがとう。子供の頃、大震災で苦労したので、被災者の立場に立って考える事ができる。彼らが何を必要としているかわかるんだ。
Meg decided to break up with her boyfriend because he is going to start working abroad and he might never return to Tokyo.
- Amy: Are you really going to break up with him?
本当に彼と別れるの？ - Meg: Yes. I really like him, but if I were in his shoes I would want to focus on my work until I get used to the new environment. I wouldn’t have time to take care of a boyfriend who is far away from me.
うん。彼が好きだけど、もし私が彼の立場だったら、新しい環境に慣れるまで仕事に集中したいと考えると思う。遠くにいる彼氏を思いやる時間はないと思う。 - Amy: Do you mean that you don’t want to bother his life? Huh, I really can’t understand what you are thinking about because it’s difficult to find the person you really like.
彼の人生を邪魔したくないって事？はぁ、メグが何を考えているか全然分からないよ。好きな人を見つけるのって、すごく大変だよ。
Ken got a new job. He thinks that the company should improve their service to satisfy their customers.
- Leo: How is your new job going? Have you already gotten used to it?
新しい仕事はどう？もう慣れた？ - Ken: Now that I've settled into my new job, I realized that there are some operations that can be improved to increase productivity. However, I’m not in a position to comment on the issue yet because I’m still new at the company.
新しい仕事に慣れた今、生産性を上げるために、改善できる業務が幾つかある事に気付いたんだ。でもさ、まだ新人だから、問題を提起できる立場じゃない。 - Leo: I see. It’s important to know where you stand, but you should make a suggestion when the time comes.
そっか。自分の立場をわきまえる事は大事だけど、しかるべき時に提言すべきだね。