Translation guide
Describes a decline in social status, wealth, or circumstances. In Japanese, this is often expressed through set phrases, verbs indicating falling or decline, and metaphors of downward movement.
To express that someone has fallen from a higher social or economic position to a lower one.
A common verb meaning to be reduced to poverty or obscurity; to come down in the world. Often used for a person's decline.
彼はすっかり落ちぶれてしまった。
He has really come down in the world.
A more formal or literary term for falling into ruin or destitution; to be reduced to nothing.
彼の家は零落した。
His family has come down in the world.
Means to fall, go to ruin, or collapse, often used for families or businesses.
あの会社は没落した。
That company has come down in the world.
Literally 'to fall down', but can metaphorically mean a fall in social status or moral decline.
彼は社会的に転落した。
He fell socially; he came down in the world.
To emphasize the financial aspect of coming down in the world.
A straightforward way to say 'become poor'. Not as idiomatic as 落ちぶれる but very clear.
彼は貧乏になった。
He became poor; he came down in the world.
Means 'to be in financial trouble' or 'to be hard up'. Implies a fall from a better financial state.
彼は今、金に困っている。
He's hard up now; he's come down in the world.
Literally 'life becomes difficult', often used when someone's standard of living drops.
失業して生活が苦しくなった。
After losing his job, his life became difficult; he came down in the world.
Using imagery of falling or descending to express decline.
Literally 'to fall down', used metaphorically for a gradual decline in status or fortune.
彼はどんどん落ちていった。
He kept falling further and further; he came down in the world.
Means 'to go downhill', often used for a decline in fortunes or abilities.
彼の人生は下り坂になった。
His life went downhill; he came down in the world.
A formal term for decline, withering, or falling. Often used in economic or social contexts.
その一族は凋落した。
That clan declined; they came down in the world.
落ちぶれる is more personal and emotional, often used for individuals. 没落する is more objective and can refer to families, companies, or social classes. 零落する is literary and less common in everyday speech.
The English phrase 'coming down in the world' is idiomatic. A direct translation like 世界で下りてくる is nonsensical. Use the verbs and phrases provided instead.