Translation guide
The English phrase "go downhill" can refer to physical descent or metaphorical decline. This guide covers both meanings, with a focus on natural Japanese expressions.
Expressing movement down a slope, hill, or road.
The most direct and natural way to say 'go down a hill/slope'. 坂 (saka) means 'hill' or 'slope', and 下る (kudaru) means 'to descend'.
Literally 'go on a downhill slope'. 下り坂 (kudarizaka) specifically means a descending slope. Slightly more descriptive than 坂を下る.
The verb 'to descend' can be used alone when the context makes it clear you are going downhill. Often used with a starting point or destination.
Expressing that a situation, quality, or condition is deteriorating.
The most common and versatile way to say 'get worse' or 'go downhill'. Can be used for health, situations, quality, etc.
Do not use 坂を下る (saka o kudaru) to mean 'go downhill' in the metaphorical sense. It only means physically descending a slope. For decline, use 悪くなる or other options above.
It feels great to go downhill on a bicycle.
This road goes downhill all the way.
Going down the mountain, there was a small village.
His health has been going downhill recently.
The company's performance went downhill.
Literally 'to fall', used metaphorically for a drop in quality, performance, or condition. Often used with nouns like 品質 (quality) or 成績 (grades).
The quality of his work has been going downhill lately.
A formal term meaning 'decline' or 'decay', used for civilizations, industries, or organizations. Too strong for personal matters.
The industry started to go downhill.
A metaphorical use of 'downhill slope', often used for life, career, or luck. Conveys a sense of inevitable decline.
His life went downhill.