Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "lay down" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: physically placing something down, establishing rules or principles, surrendering or giving up, and a few other idiomatic uses. Each meaning is presented with natural Japanese equivalents.
To place something in a flat or resting position, often gently or carefully.
General verb for putting or placing something down. Can be used for most objects.
本を机の上に置いた。
I laid the book down on the desk.
To lay something down on its side, or to lay a person/animal down to sleep. Implies a horizontal position.
I laid the baby down on the bed.
To lay something down horizontally, often used for long objects or in literary contexts.
He laid his spear down on the ground.
To officially set or state rules, laws, guidelines, or requirements.
To establish, prescribe, or lay down rules, laws, or standards. Formal and authoritative.
The law lays down new standards.
To stipulate or prescribe rules, often used in legal or official documents.
The conditions are laid down in the contract.
A more casual way to say 'lay down rules', literally 'decide rules'.
Let's lay down the rules first.
To stop fighting, resisting, or holding onto something; to yield.
Literally 'lay down weapons', the standard phrase for surrender.
The soldiers laid down their arms.
To surrender or capitulate. More formal and direct than the weapon metaphor.
The enemy laid down their arms.
To step down, withdraw, or give up a position or claim. Used for non-military contexts.
To willingly die for a cause or person.
To put something away, especially wine or supplies, to age or keep.
English learners often confuse 'lay down' (transitive, requires an object) with 'lie down' (intransitive, no object). In Japanese, these are completely different verbs. 'Lie down' is 横になる (よこになる) or 寝る (ねる). 'Lay something down' requires an object and uses verbs like 置く (おく) or 寝かせる (ねかせる).
置く is the general verb for placing something down, regardless of orientation. 寝かせる specifically means to lay something on its side or in a horizontal position, often with care (like a baby or a bottle of wine). Use 寝かせる when the flat/horizontal aspect is important.
He laid down his position as president.