Translation guide
The English word 'lower' can be a verb, adjective, or comparative form. This guide covers how to express its core meanings naturally in Japanese, organized by use.
To cause something to go to a lower position or level.
Transitive verb meaning to lower something physically or reduce a level/amount.
音量を下げてください。
Please lower the volume.
彼は旗を下げた。
He lowered the flag.
Transitive verb for lowering something from a higher place, like a blind or a load.
ブラインドを下ろした。
I lowered the blinds.
Phrase meaning to make something low, often used for height or level.
椅子の高さを低くした。
I lowered the height of the chair.
To decrease a number, price, quality, or strength.
Used for lowering prices, rates, volume, etc.
店は価格を下げた。
The store lowered the prices.
彼は声を下げて話した。
He spoke in a lowered voice.
To reduce quantity or number, often used for costs, risks, etc.
Formal or technical term for causing a decline in quality, performance, etc.
その薬は血圧を低下させる。
The medicine lowers blood pressure.
To go to a lower position, like sitting or crouching.
Intransitive verb meaning to step back, drop, or go down.
彼は後ろに下がった。
He lowered himself back.
To sit down, literally 'lower one's hips'.
彼は椅子に腰を下ろした。
He lowered himself onto the chair.
To crouch or squat down.
Describing something that is below something else in height or status.
Attributive form meaning 'lower' or 'below', used before nouns.
下の階に住んでいます。
I live on the lower floor.
下の部分が壊れている。
The lower part is broken.
Adjective meaning low in height, status, or degree.
低い位置にある棚
a shelf at a lower position
Formal term for lower rank or status.
下位の役職
a lower position in the company
Comparing two things where one has a smaller amount or degree.
Pattern using より (than) + 低い (low) to mean 'lower than'.
この椅子はあれより低い。
This chair is lower than that one.
今日の気温は昨日より低い。
Today's temperature is lower than yesterday's.
For countable or measurable amounts, meaning 'fewer/less than'.
今年の収入は去年より少ない。
This year's income is lower than last year's.
The transitive verb 下げる means to lower something else. To express lowering your own body, use intransitive verbs like 下がる or phrases like 腰を下ろす.
下げる is general for lowering or reducing. 下ろす often implies lowering something from a higher place (e.g., blinds, a load from a truck) or taking something down.
We need to lower costs.
He lowered himself to tie his shoelaces.