Translation guide
How to express the idea of downgrading something in Japanese, covering reductions in status, quality, version, and more.
To lower someone's or something's official standing, such as demoting an employee or downgrading a threat level.
The most direct equivalent for demoting a person or lowering the rank of something. Often used in corporate or organizational contexts.
彼はミスを理由に降格された。
He was downgraded (demoted) because of a mistake.
Literally 'lower the rank'. Used for downgrading status, class, or category, such as a hotel rating or a team's division.
そのホテルは格下げされた。
That hotel was downgraded.
Specifically refers to demoting an employee by transferring them to a less important post, often as a punishment. Common in Japanese corporate culture.
彼は地方支社に左遷された。
He was downgraded (reassigned to a regional branch).
To lower the standard or quality of something, such as materials, service, or a rating.
A natural phrase meaning 'lower the quality'. Used for products, services, or content.
コスト削減のため、材料の質を落とした。
To cut costs, they downgraded the quality of the materials.
Directly 'lower the grade'. Common in contexts like membership tiers, product lines, or service levels.
会員プランをグレードを下げた。
I downgraded my membership plan.
Used for lowering a rank or tier, such as in games, credit ratings, or performance evaluations.
ゲームでランクを下げられた。
I was downgraded in the game.
To revert to an older version or a lower-tier subscription/service.
The loanword 'downgrade' is widely understood in tech contexts. Use this for software, apps, or digital services.
アプリをダウングレードした。
I downgraded the app.
Means 'revert to the previous version'. Natural when talking about software or documents.
不具合があったので、前のバージョンに戻した。
There was a bug, so I downgraded to the previous version.
Short for 'lower the plan', used for subscription services.
料金を抑えるためにプランを下げた。
I downgraded my plan to save money.
To reduce the level of danger, warning, or seriousness.
Means 'to lower' and is commonly used for threat levels, alert statuses, or interest rates.
テロ警戒レベルを引き下げた。
They downgraded the terror alert level.
Formal term for 'downward revision', used in economic forecasts, ratings, or estimates.
経済成長率が下方修正された。
The economic growth forecast was downgraded.
To lower one's assessment or regard for something.
Literally 'lower the evaluation'. Used when someone's opinion of something worsens.
あの映画を見て、彼の評価を下げた。
After watching that movie, I downgraded my opinion of him.
Can mean 'reassess downward' when context implies a negative revision. Often used in business or personal judgments.
Without context, 見直す can also mean 'review' or 'reconsider' positively. Clarify with adverbs if needed.
彼の能力を見直した。
I downgraded my assessment of his abilities.
The English word 'downgrade' is often used broadly. In Japanese, you must choose the right verb based on what is being downgraded (person, quality, version, etc.). Using ダウングレードする for non-tech contexts can sound unnatural.
降格する is primarily for demoting people or lowering official rank, while 格下げする is more for lowering the grade or class of things like hotels, teams, or products.