Translation guide
Describes a sharp, abrupt decrease in level, amount, value, or physical position. Japanese uses different words depending on what is dropping and the context.
To express a sudden fall in statistics, market values, temperature, etc.
Most common for sudden drops in prices, stock values, or numerical indices. Often used in news and business contexts.
Literally 'sudden descent', used for physical drops (aircraft, elevators) and sometimes metaphorically for rankings or popularity.
A more colloquial way to say 'suddenly drop'. Can be used for various things like temperature, grades, or volume.
The temperature suddenly dropped.
To describe something or someone falling abruptly from a height.
General term for falling, often used in compound with 'sudden' (突然の落下).
A rock suddenly dropped.
Colloquial way to say something suddenly fell. Works for objects, but also for things like phone signal or battery level.
My phone suddenly dropped (from my hand).
To express a sharp worsening of a situation, health, or social standing.
急落 is for abstract drops (prices, temperature), while 急降下 is for physical descent. Using 急降下 for stock prices sounds odd.
Stock prices dropped sharply.
The plane dove suddenly.
English 'sudden drop' can often be expressed with a single Japanese verb like 急落する or 急降下する. Using 突然の落下 is grammatically correct but less natural in many contexts.
There was a sudden drop in temperature.
The company's profits saw a sudden drop.
飛行機が急降下した。
The airplane made a sudden drop.
His popularity took a nosedive.
売上が急に下がった。
Sales suddenly dropped.
バッテリーが急に落ちた。
The battery suddenly dropped.
彼の評判はがた落ちだ。
His reputation took a sudden drop.