Translation guide
The English phrasal verb 'come down' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each situation.
To descend from a higher place to a lower place, such as coming down stairs, a mountain, or from the sky.
General verb for descending, getting off, or coming down from a vehicle, stairs, mountain, etc.
Please come down the stairs.
It took two hours to come down from the mountain.
Often interchangeable with 降りる, but can emphasize moving down from a higher position. Used for coming down from a stage, elevator, etc.
I came down to the first floor by elevator.
Formal or technical term for descending, used for aircraft, parachutes, etc.
The airplane began to come down.
To fall from the sky, such as rain, snow, or hail.
Standard verb for precipitation falling.
The rain is coming down hard.
Snow has started to come down.
To become lower in value, amount, or degree.
To travel to a place, especially from a capital or city to a more local area, or to visit someone's home.
To be transmitted from generation to generation.
To fall to the ground, often suddenly.
To decide or announce a decision, often after consideration.
To start suffering from an illness.
Standard pattern for catching an illness.
He came down with the flu.
Do not translate 'come down' literally as '下に来る' (shita ni kuru) for most meanings. This sounds unnatural in Japanese. Use the specific verbs and phrases listed above.
This legend has come down through the centuries.
古い建物が崩れた。
The old building came down.