Translation guide
The English phrase "talk down" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: speaking to someone in a condescending way, persuading someone to lower a price, and talking someone through a difficult situation (like landing a plane).
To speak to someone as if they are inferior, less intelligent, or less important.
A natural way to describe talking down to someone. Literally 'to do a looking-down way of speaking'.
彼はいつも私に見下した言い方をする。
He always talks down to me.
A verb meaning 'to look down on' or 'to despise'. It can be used for talking down to someone, but it's broader and can imply a general attitude of contempt.
彼は部下を見下している。
He looks down on his subordinates.
Literally 'to speak with a gaze from above'. A very common and vivid expression for talking down to someone, implying a superior attitude.
彼女はいつも上から目線で話すから、嫌われる。
She's disliked because she always talks down to people.
Literally 'to speak as if making a fool of someone'. Stronger and more insulting than the other options.
彼は私に馬鹿にしたように話した。
He talked down to me in a mocking way.
To negotiate with a seller to reduce the price of something.
Literally 'to make (someone) lower the price'. A clear and direct way to express talking someone down on a price.
彼は店主を説得して値段を下げさせた。
He talked the shopkeeper down on the price.
A common verb meaning 'to bargain' or 'to haggle'. It implies negotiating a lower price, which is the essence of talking someone down.
彼女は市場で値切るのが上手だ。
She's good at talking sellers down at the market.
From the verb '負ける' (to lose), this means 'to make someone give a discount'. It's more casual and direct.
彼はなんとか千円まけさせた。
He managed to talk them down by 1000 yen.
To help someone perform a complex or stressful task by giving calm, step-by-step instructions, often remotely (e.g., landing a plane, defusing a bomb).
Literally 'to guide by giving oral instructions'. This is a clear and general way to express the concept.
管制官がパイロットを口頭で指示して着陸させた。
The air traffic controller talked the pilot down to a safe landing.
Specifically 'to guide by radio'. Often used in aviation contexts for talking a pilot down.
管制塔が無線で誘導して、緊急着陸を成功させた。
The control tower talked the plane down for an emergency landing.
A more general phrase meaning 'to help by giving instructions'. Can be used in various situations, not just aviation.
専門家が電話で指示を出して、爆弾を解除させた。
The expert talked the technician through defusing the bomb over the phone.