Translation guide
Describes vertical movement, fluctuation, or alternating states. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether the motion is physical, metaphorical, or describes a state.
Moving repeatedly or alternately upward and downward, such as jumping, nodding, or an elevator.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'up and down' for physical movement. Used with verbs like 動く (move), 跳ねる (jump), etc.
The elevator is moving up and down.
He nodded, moving his head up and down.
Noun meaning 'up and down' or 'vertical'. Can be used as a suru-verb (上下する) for movement.
This machine's up-and-down movement is smooth.
Repeated action pattern meaning 'going up and down' repeatedly. Emphasizes the alternation.
The children are bouncing up and down on the trampoline.
Describing prices, temperatures, emotions, or performance that rise and fall.
Common pattern for fluctuating values. Can be used with nouns like 気温 (temperature), 株価 (stock prices).
Lately the temperature has been going up and down, making it easy to get sick.
His grades go up and down.
Noun meaning 'fluctuation' or 'change'. Often used in economic or technical contexts.
Noun for emotional or life ups and downs. Often used for mood or fortune.
Examining or searching a place thoroughly, often by walking or scanning.
Means 'here and there' or 'all over'. Used with verbs like 探す (search) or 見る (look).
He searched up and down the room.
Adverb meaning 'thoroughly' or 'all over'. Implies a meticulous search.
Literally 'from top to bottom'. Used for looking someone over or checking something completely.
上下 (じょうげ) is a static noun for vertical orientation or simple up-down movement. 上がったり下がったり emphasizes repeated alternation and is more natural for describing fluctuation.
The elevator goes up and down.
The temperature goes up and down.
English 'search up and down' does not literally mean vertical movement. Use あちこち探す or くまなく探す instead of 上下に探す, which is unnatural.
He paced up and down the hallway.
For back-and-forth walking, 行ったり来たり is more natural than 上下.
The stock market has been up and down lately.
株価の変動が激しい。
Stock prices are fluctuating wildly (up and down).
Life has its ups and downs.
警察は現場をくまなく調べた。
The police searched the scene up and down.
She looked me up and down.