Translation guide
Describes something that hangs downward, droops, or is suspended from above. The most common Japanese equivalent is 垂れる (tareru), but the best choice depends on what is hanging and how.
枝が垂れている。
The branches are hanging down.
天井からランプが吊り下がっている。
A lamp is hanging down from the ceiling.
For objects, body parts, or materials that hang down loosely or droop.
General verb for something hanging down, drooping, or dangling. Can be used for hair, branches, curtains, etc.
柳の枝が垂れている。
The willow branches are hanging down.
髪が肩に垂れている。
Her hair is hanging down over her shoulders.
Means 'to hang down' or 'to droop' but often implies moving downward from a higher position. Common for things like a hanging scroll or a slack rope.
凧の糸が下がっている。
The kite string is hanging down.
Specifically means to hang down while being suspended or dangling, often with a sense of swinging. Used for objects hanging from a point.
猿が木の枝にぶら下がっている。
A monkey is hanging down from a tree branch.
When something is attached at the top and hangs freely downward, like a lamp or a sign.
Transitive verb meaning 'to hang something down' from above. The intransitive counterpart is 吊れる (つれる) but is less common.
ランプを天井から吊るした。
I hung the lamp down from the ceiling.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to hang down' or 'to be suspended'. Emphasizes the state of hanging from above.
看板が店の前に吊り下がっている。
A sign is hanging down in front of the store.
When something hangs down due to lack of strength or vitality, like wilted flowers or a drooping head.
Specifically for a head hanging down in sadness or shame.
彼は恥ずかしそうにうなだれた。
He hung his head down in embarrassment.
For plants wilting and hanging down. Can also be used metaphorically for a person's dejected appearance.
For garments or cloth that hang down, often draping or sagging.
Transitive verb meaning to let something hang down, like a scarf or a curtain.
彼女はスカーフを肩から垂らしていた。
She let her scarf hang down from her shoulders.
Onomatopoeic adverb + 垂れる, emphasizing a limp, loose hanging. Often used for sleeves or sashes.
着物の帯がだらりと垂れている。
The kimono sash is hanging down loosely.
垂れる (tareru) is the most general and natural for things hanging down loosely. 下がる (sagaru) implies a downward direction from a higher point, often used for things that can be raised or lowered. ぶら下がる (burasagaru) emphasizes dangling or swinging from a fixed point.
English often uses 'hang down' where Japanese uses a single verb like 垂れる. Don't try to translate 'down' separately; it's already included in the verb.
花が暑さでしおれている。
The flowers are hanging down (wilting) from the heat.