Translation guide
How to express 'step down' in Japanese, covering physical movement, resigning from a position, and reducing intensity.
The president stepped down.
He stepped down for health reasons.
Often used for stepping down upon completing a term or retiring from a role, slightly more neutral than 辞任する.
The chairman is scheduled to step down.
Literally 'pull oneself back', used when stepping down to take responsibility or to let someone else take over. Has a nuance of withdrawing gracefully or under pressure.
He stepped down taking responsibility.
A general verb for quitting a job. Less formal than 辞任する and can be used for any job, not just high positions. Often used in casual contexts.
I decided to step down from my job.
To move one's foot downward from a step, platform, vehicle, etc.
General verb for getting off or stepping down from something. Use から for the starting point.
I stepped down from the bus.
Be careful when stepping down the stairs.
Same pronunciation as 降りる, but this kanji emphasizes descending. Often interchangeable, but 降りる is more common for vehicles.
To decrease effort, pressure, or pace.
辞任する implies resignation, often due to personal reasons or scandal. 退任する is more neutral and often used for scheduled retirement or end of term.
The minister stepped down due to a scandal.
The mayor stepped down at the end of his term.
The English phrase 'step down' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Use the appropriate verb based on context: 辞任する for resigning, 降りる for physical descent, etc.
山を下りる。
Step down the mountain.
飲酒を控えてください。
Please step down on drinking.