falling intonation; downward pitch
Used in phonetics and language teaching to describe a pitch pattern that drops at the end of a phrase or word. Often contrasted with 尻上がり (rising intonation).
Japanese interrogative sentences often have a falling intonation.
Describes a gradual decrease in numbers, performance, or condition. Often used in business or statistical contexts.
Sales have been on a downward trend for the past few months.
Compound of 尻 (buttocks, rear) and 下がり (lowering, from 下がる). The image of the rear end dropping is metaphorically applied to falling pitch or declining trends.