Translation guide
The English word 'down' has many uses. This guide covers the most common meanings for learners: downward direction/movement, being in a low position, feeling sad, not functioning, writing/recording, and reducing. It does not cover every possible Japanese word that can be translated as 'down'.
Expressing movement or direction toward a lower place
General word for 'down' as a direction or lower position. Often used with particles like に or へ.
下を見てください。
Please look down.
The cat climbed down from the tree.
Verb meaning 'to go down', 'to descend', or 'to get off' (a vehicle). Intransitive.
Transitive verb meaning 'to lower something' or 'to bring down'.
Please put your hand down.
Same reading as 下りる but specifically for getting off a vehicle or descending from a high place. Often interchangeable.
Descend the mountain.
Loanword used in specific contexts like 'countdown' or 'shutdown', not for physical direction.
countdown
Describing something that is physically low or has fallen
Expressing a low emotional state
Describing something that is out of order or unavailable
Standard term for a machine being broken or out of order.
The elevator is down.
Common loanword for systems, servers, or websites being down.
The server is down.
General phrase meaning 'cannot be used', often for services or facilities.
The internet is down right now.
To note down, write, or record information
Verb meaning 'to write down' or 'to note down'.
Please write down a memo.
Casual verb meaning 'to jot down' or 'to take a memo'.
I wrote down the phone number.
Formal verb for recording or documenting information.
Please record (write down) the results.
To lower amount, intensity, or level
Transitive verb for lowering something like volume, price, or status.
Please turn down the volume.
Verb meaning 'to reduce' quantity or number.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go down' or 'to drop' (e.g., temperature, price).
English phrasal verbs like 'sit down', 'calm down', 'break down' often have specific Japanese equivalents that do not use the word for 'down'. Learn them as separate expressions.
The loanword ダウン is mainly used for systems (server down), in sports (knockdown), or in compound words like カウントダウン. It is not used for physical direction or emotional states.
You should cut down on salt.
The temperature went down.