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'.
Describing a situation, performance, or health that is getting worse.
A general verb meaning 'to worsen' or 'deteriorate'. Suitable for health, situations, or quality.
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.
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.
His health is going downhill.
Business performance went downhill.
Means 'to fall' or 'drop'. Used for declining quality, grades, or reputation.
My grades have been going downhill lately.
Metaphorical use of 'downhill slope' to mean a decline, often in life or career.
His life is going downhill.
Loanword from English, used specifically for the skiing discipline.
He is a downhill skier.
Japanese term for downhill skiing race or descent.
In downhill racing, speed is everything.