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'.
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.
Literally 'go on a downhill slope'. 下り坂 (kudarizaka) specifically means a descending slope. Slightly more descriptive than 坂を下る.
This road goes downhill all the way.
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.
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.