Translation guide
The English word 'falling' can describe physical descent, decline in value or status, or entering a state. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
Describing something or someone moving downward through the air or dropping to the ground.
General verb for falling, dropping, or coming down. Intransitive.
An apple fell from the tree.
He fell down the stairs.
Used specifically for precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) falling from the sky.
Rain is falling.
Snow is falling quietly.
To fall over, collapse, or topple. Used for people, trees, buildings, etc.
A tree fell over in the strong wind.
He collapsed from exhaustion.
Formal or technical term for falling, dropping. Often used in news or scientific contexts.
A rock fell from the mountain.
Expressing the beginning of romantic feelings.
Describing a drop in numbers, value, temperature, etc.
General intransitive verb for going down, dropping, or declining. Used for temperature, prices, grades, etc.
The temperature is falling.
Stock prices fell sharply.
Also used for decline in quality, rank, or status. Can imply a sudden drop.
Formal term for decline or deterioration, often used in reports.
Quality has fallen.
Transitioning into sleep.
Literary or poetic way to say 'fall asleep'. Often used in narratives.
She fell into a deep sleep.
Casual/slang term for falling asleep unintentionally, e.g., while watching TV or using a phone.
Last night I fell asleep on the sofa.
Simple verb for 'sleep', but can be used in contexts like 'falling asleep' when combined with adverbs.
Entering a particular condition or being classified.
English often uses 'falling' as a present participle (e.g., 'I am falling'). Japanese does not have a direct equivalent; use the te-iru form of the verb (e.g., 落ちている) for ongoing state, or simple non-past for habitual/general statements.
Snow is falling.
落ちる often implies a sharper or more negative drop (grades, reputation), while 下がる is more neutral and common for measurable decreases (temperature, prices).
My grades fell.
Popularity is falling.
I fell asleep right away.
This matter falls into the high-priority group.