Translation guide
The English word 'downhill' can describe physical downward movement, a decline in quality or condition, or a type of skiing. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Describing movement, direction, or slope going down.
Used for a downward slope, descent, or downhill journey. Common in transport contexts like 'downhill train'.
This road is downhill.
Please take the downhill train.
Literally 'downhill slope'. Used for roads, paths, or metaphorical declines.
From here it continues downhill.
Means 'facing downward' or 'pointing down'. Used for orientation, not movement.
The arrow is pointing downhill.
Describing a situation, performance, or health that is getting worse.
A general verb meaning 'to worsen' or 'deteriorate'. Suitable for health, situations, or quality.
His health is going downhill.
Business performance went downhill.
Means 'to fall' or 'drop'. Used for declining quality, grades, or reputation.
Metaphorical use of 'downhill slope' to mean a decline, often in life or career.
His life is going downhill.
Referring to the sport of downhill skiing.
When saying something is 'going downhill' in the sense of deteriorating, do not directly translate 'downhill' as 下り坂 unless you mean a literal slope. Use 悪化する or 落ちる for natural Japanese.
最近、成績が落ちている。
My grades have been going downhill lately.
滑降競技はスピードが命だ。
In downhill racing, speed is everything.