Translation guide
How to express 'turn down' in Japanese, covering rejecting offers, lowering volume/light/heat, and folding or flipping something downward.
The most common meaning: to say no to a proposal, invitation, or request.
The standard verb for refusing or declining something. Can be used in most situations.
I turned down his offer.
It's hard to turn down an invitation.
Polite/humble form of 断る. Use in formal situations or when speaking to superiors.
I'm afraid I must turn it down this time.
Literally 'say no'. A direct way to express refusal, often used in casual contexts.
He flatly turned it down.
Stronger, more formal word for 'refuse' or 'reject'. Often used for official or serious rejections.
The company turned down the demand.
Literally 'kick'. Slang for rejecting something bluntly, like 'shoot down'.
She turned me down for a date.
To reduce the level of sound, light, heat, etc.
General verb for 'lower' something. Used with volume, temperature, etc.
Please turn down the volume.
I turned down the air conditioner temperature.
Literally 'make small'. Very common for turning down volume.
Turn down the TV volume.
To weaken or reduce intensity. Used for light, power, etc.
Literally 'squeeze' or 'narrow down'. Used for turning down a gas flame or water flow.
To bend or fold something so it points or hangs down, like a collar, brim, or page corner.
To fold back or turn down. Used for cuffs, collars, brims, etc.
Turn down the collar.
Simple verb for 'fold' or 'bend'. Can be used for turning down a page corner.
To turn something face down or upside down. Used for cards, cups, etc.
While 'turn down' is natural in English, Japanese uses verbs like 下げる (sageru) or 小さくする (chiisaku suru) for volume. Avoid literal translations like 回して下げる (mawashite sageru) unless you are physically turning a dial.
Please turn down the volume.
断る (kotowaru) is the general word for declining offers or invitations. 拒否する (kyohi suru) is stronger and more formal, often used for rejecting demands, proposals, or official requests. Use 断る in daily conversation.
I turned down my friend's invitation.
The government turned down the demand.
I asked her out but she turned me down.
Can you turn down the music?
He turned down the job offer.
明かりを弱めてください。
Please turn down the lights.
Turn down the gas flame.
I turned down the brim of my hat.
Turn down the corner of the page.
Turn down the card (place it face down).