Translation guide
The act of reducing the size of a company, workforce, or possessions, often to cut costs or simplify life.
To reduce the number of employees or the scale of business operations, usually to cut costs.
Short for リストラクチャリング (restructuring). Commonly used for corporate downsizing, layoffs, or workforce reduction. Often implies involuntary job cuts.
The company carried out downsizing.
He lost his job due to downsizing.
Formal term for personnel reduction or workforce downsizing. Often used in news or official statements.
Due to the recession, downsizing is unavoidable.
Direct loanword from English. Used in business contexts, but less common than リストラ for layoffs. Can also refer to reducing the size of products or systems.
The management decided on downsizing.
Refers to scaling down business operations, not necessarily just workforce. More about reducing the scope of business.
The company is proceeding with downsizing its operations.
To move to a smaller home, reduce possessions, or simplify one's lifestyle, often for financial or personal reasons.
Literally 'to make one's surroundings small.' A natural way to express downsizing one's lifestyle, reducing clutter, or moving to a smaller place.
After retirement, I downsized and moved to the countryside.
Means 'to make one's life compact.' Used when simplifying lifestyle, reducing expenses, or moving to a smaller home.
Used as a verb for lifestyle downsizing, especially among those familiar with the English concept. Often used in media about simplifying life.
A popular concept combining refusal, disposal, and separation from possessions. Focuses on decluttering and minimalism, not necessarily moving.
To make a product, device, or system smaller in physical size or scale.
Standard term for miniaturization or making something smaller, especially in technology and manufacturing.
This smartphone has been significantly downsized.
General term for reduction in size, scale, or scope. Can be used for physical objects, systems, or abstract things.
Loanword used in tech or design contexts, e.g., downsizing a car engine or a gadget. Less common than 小型化.
Directly translating 'downsizing' as 縮小 or 削減 in a lifestyle context can sound unnatural or overly business-like. Use phrases like 身の回りを小さくする or 生活をコンパクトにする instead.
I want to downsize and live simply in my old age.
リストラ is the common, somewhat euphemistic term for corporate downsizing and layoffs. 人員削減 is more direct and formal, often used in official reports. In casual conversation, リストラ is more natural.
I hear there will be more downsizing.
Since the kids moved out, I'm thinking of downsizing my life.
Recently, many elderly people are considering downsizing.
断捨離をして、本当に必要なものだけ残した。
I decluttered and kept only what I truly need.
エンジンの縮小により燃費が向上した。
The downsizing of the engine improved fuel efficiency.
This car is equipped with a downsized turbo engine.
The company announced personnel reductions.