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.
階段を降りてください。
Please come down the stairs.
山から降りるのに2時間かかった。
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.
エレベーターで1階に下りた。
I came down to the first floor by elevator.
Formal or technical term for descending, used for aircraft, parachutes, etc.
飛行機が降下を始めた。
The airplane began to come down.
To fall from the sky, such as rain, snow, or hail.
Standard verb for precipitation falling.
雨が激しく降っている。
The rain is coming down hard.
雪が降り始めた。
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.
Simple verb for 'come'. Direction is often understood from context.
東京から友達が来る。
My friend is coming down from Tokyo.
明日、家に来ませんか？
Why don't you come down to my place tomorrow?
Specifically for a casual visit to someone's home.
週末に遊びに来てよ。
Come down and hang out this weekend.
To be transmitted from generation to generation.
Intransitive verb for something being passed down or transmitted.
この話は代々伝わっている。
This story has come down through generations.
Passive form of 言い伝える, meaning 'has been handed down by word of mouth'.
この伝説は何世紀も言い伝えられてきた。
This legend has come down through the centuries.
To fall to the ground, often suddenly.
To decide or announce a decision, often after consideration.
Formal phrase meaning 'to hand down a decision'.
裁判官は判決を下した。
The judge came down with a verdict.
General pattern for deciding on something.
私たちはその案に決めた。
We came down in favor of that plan.
To start suffering from an illness.
Standard pattern for catching an illness.
彼はインフルエンザにかかった。
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.
古い建物が崩れた。
The old building came down.