How to Say "Lay Down" in Japanese

横になる

yoko ni naru[jo̞ko̞ ɲ̟i na̠ɾɯ̟]

To lay down in Japanese is 横になる (yoko ni naru).

Use 横になる (yoko ni naru) when a person is lying down themselves, rather than placing an object on the ground.

Meaning: to place on the ground (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase 横になる literally means 'to become horizontal'.

yoko ni naru

If you are feeling unwell and need to lie down, you might say 横になりたい (yoko ni naritai), which can be a polite way to signal you need to leave a social situation.
In traditional Japanese homes, the act of lying down is often associated with the 布団 (futon), which is folded and stored away during the day to reclaim living space.
The word 横 (yoko) is used in the term 横道 (yokomichi), which means 'side road' but is also an idiom for getting sidetracked from a conversation.

疲れたので、少し横になります。
I'm tired, so I will lay down for a bit.
昨晩はとても疲れていたから、ベッドでゆっくり横たがっていた。
I was very tired last night, so I laid down leisurely on the bed.

Yui notices Kenta looks exhausted after work.

結衣 Yui

健太、すごく疲れてるね。
Kenta, sugoku tsukareteru ne.
Kenta, you look really tired.
健太 Kenta

うん、今日は仕事が忙しかったんだ。
un, kyou wa shigoto ga isogashikatta nda.
Yeah, work was busy today.
結衣 Yui

少し横になる？
sukoshi yoko ni naru?
Do you want to lie down for a while?
健太 Kenta

ありがとう。そうするよ。
arigatou. sou suru yo.
Thanks. I'll do that.

Sources

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