Translation guide
The English word 'dropping' can refer to the act of letting something fall, a decline or decrease, or the omission of something. This guide helps learners express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
To express the action of accidentally or intentionally letting an object fall from one's hand or a higher position.
The most common transitive verb for 'to drop' something. Used when the subject causes an object to fall.
I dropped my smartphone.
Be careful not to drop the cup.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to fall' or 'to drop' (as in the object itself falls). Use when the focus is on the object falling, not who dropped it.
My wallet dropped out of my pocket.
Loanword from English, used in gaming or tech contexts (e.g., dropping items, dropping a connection). Not for everyday physical dropping.
The enemy dropped an item.
To describe a reduction in amount, value, temperature, performance, etc.
Intransitive verb for 'to drop/fall' in value, temperature, grades, etc. Commonly used for measurable declines.
The temperature dropped suddenly.
Formal term for 'decline/drop' in quality, ability, or standards. Often used in written or business contexts.
The quality is dropping.
Can also mean a drop in performance, rank, or status. Often used for failing tests or dropping in rankings.
Formal term for 'decrease/drop' in numbers or quantity. Used in reports or news.
The population is dropping.
To express the act of removing something or someone from a group, schedule, or plan.
Means 'to remove' or 'to drop' from a list, team, or schedule. Commonly used in everyday contexts.
We dropped him from the team.
I dropped that course.
Means 'to quit' or 'to stop'. Used for dropping a class, activity, or habit. More casual than 外す.
Used in academic contexts (dropping a course) or gaming (dropping from a party). Loanword, casual.
I dropped that class.
To express giving up on a subject, idea, or project.
To express casually mentioning something in a subtle way.
Means 'to hint at' or 'to drop a hint'. Used when indirectly suggesting something.
He dropped a hint about resigning.
Casual expression meaning 'to mention in passing' or 'to drop a remark'. Literally 'say a little bit'.
She dropped a remark about marriage.
To express letting a passenger out of a vehicle at a certain point.
Transitive verb meaning 'to drop off' or 'to let someone off' a vehicle. Used for cars, buses, etc.
Please drop me off in front of the station.
I dropped the kids off at school.
Means 'to send' or 'to escort'. Can be used for dropping someone off, but implies accompanying them partway.
The loanword ドロップする is mainly used in gaming or tech contexts. For physically dropping an object, use 落とす (transitive) or 落ちる (intransitive). Using ドロップする for everyday dropping sounds unnatural.
I dropped my smartphone.
落とす is transitive (someone drops something), while 落ちる is intransitive (something falls/drops). Choose based on whether you want to emphasize the agent or the object.
I dropped the cup.
The cup dropped.
Sales are dropping.
My grades dropped.
I failed the exam (literally: dropped the exam).
I dropped the class.
旅行を取りやめた。
We dropped the trip.
I dropped my friend off at home.