Translation guide
The act of getting off a vehicle, animal, or equipment. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what you are dismounting from.
To dismount from something you straddle, like a bike or horse.
General verb for getting off a vehicle or animal. Use with particle を for the thing you dismount from.
Formal term for getting off a train or bus. Not used for bicycles or horses.
次の駅で下車します。
I will get off at the next station.
To exit a vehicle you board, like a train or bus.
The most common verb for getting off any vehicle. Use を for the vehicle or で for the station/stop.
電車を降りる。
I get off the train.
バスを降りたら、右に曲がってください。
After getting off the bus, please turn right.
Formal, often used in announcements or written instructions.
ここで下車してください。
Please get off here.
Specifically getting off a horse, often in a riding or military context.
Literally 'dismount horse'. Used in formal or historical contexts.
彼は門の前で下馬した。
He dismounted in front of the gate.
General verb, also used for horses in casual speech.
馬から降りて、少し休もう。
Let's dismount and rest a bit.
To exit a vehicle in a disciplined or official manner, like soldiers leaving a truck.
Formal term for getting off a vehicle, often used in military or official settings.
部隊は車両から降車した。
The troops dismounted from the vehicles.
To get off a piece of equipment like a forklift, tractor, or construction vehicle.
General verb, works for any equipment you climb onto.
フォークリフトを降りるときは、足元に注意してください。
When dismounting the forklift, watch your step.
降りる (おりる) is the everyday verb for getting off any vehicle or animal. 下車する (げしゃする) is formal and mainly for trains/buses. 降車する (こうしゃする) is even more formal, often used in military or official contexts for dismounting from vehicles.
毎日、駅で電車を降ります。
Every day I get off the train at the station.
お客様は次の駅で下車されます。
Passengers will alight at the next station. (polite announcement)
下車する is only for trains, buses, and similar vehicles. For bicycles and horses, use 降りる or 下馬する.