JLPT N2・N4・N5 Vocabulary -Difference between “下がる” “下りる” and “下る”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “下がる” “下りる” and “下る”
2. 下がる
3. 下りる
4. 下る
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What’s the difference between “下がる”, “下りる”, and “下る”?
A: All of these verbs are related to “a movement from high to low,” but each has slightly different nuances and usage. While each can have multiple meanings, here we’ll summarize the main meanings and basic usage for easier understanding.
下がる (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
① Movement of an object’s position from high to low
② Moving backward or retreating
③ Degree, value, price, or temperature becoming lower than before
[Part of Speech]
Intransitive verb
[Examples]
サイズが大きすぎて、ズボンが下がってしまいます。（①）
The size is too big, so the pants are slipping down.
電車が来ますので、後ろへ下がってください。（②）
The train is coming, so please step back.
金の価値は大きく下がりません。（③）
The value of gold doesn’t drop much.
“下がる” focuses not on the action of the subject, but on the position or state itself, describing a change from a high position to a lower one.
[Examples]
痩せてからスカートが下がるので、サイズを直しました。
Since I lost weight, my skirt kept slipping down, so I had to alter the size.
⇒ This describes how the skirt, which used to stay at the waist, now slips down.
Tシャツが大きくて、襟元が肩まで下がっています。
The T-shirt is so big that the collar droops all the way down to my shoulders.
Additionally, “下がる” can also refer not only to a movement from a higher to a lower place, but also to moving backward slightly from a certain reference point.
[Examples]
危ないので、黄色い線まで下がってください。
It’s dangerous, so please step back to the yellow line.
⇒ This describes moving backward from the yellow line (which serves as the reference point).
前に出すぎていますので、もう少し後ろに下がって車を止めてください。
You’ve pulled too far forward, so please back up a bit and stop the car.
Furthermore, “下がる” is also used to express that abstract things such as “degree, value, amount, or temperature” have decreased compared to before.
[Examples]
秋になって気温が少し下がりました。
In the fall, the temperature dropped a little.
⇒ This indicates that the temperature has become lower compared to summer.
売れないので、金額を下げて売りました。
Because it wasn’t selling, we lowered the price and sold it.
下りる (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
To move from a high place to a lower place
[Part of Speech]
Intransitive verb
[Examples]
暗くなる前に、山を下りました。
I came down from the mountain before it got dark.
階段を下りると、タクシー乗り場があります。
When you go down the stairs, there is a taxi stand.
10階から1階まで階段を下りました。
I went down the stairs from the 10th floor to the 1st floor.
“下りる” indicates physically moving from a high place to a lower place, using one’s own body.
[Examples]
毎週土曜日は山を下りて、町に行きます。
Every Saturday, I go down the mountain and head to town.
⇒ This expresses moving from a high mountain to a lower place, the town.
エレベーターが来ないので、10階から1階まで階段で下りました。
Since the elevator wasn’t coming, I went down from the 10th floor to the 1st floor using the stairs.
This verb can also be used in abstract expressions, but it is particularly common in certain fixed phrases.
① 許可が下りる
Receiving formal permission or approval from a superior or an authoritative institution.
[Examples]
上司から許可が下りて、プロジェクトを開始しました。
The project was started after getting permission from my boss.
市役所から使用の許可が下りて、お祭りができることになりました。
We were able to hold the festival after receiving permission for its use from the city hall.
② 判断が下りる
Receiving a final decision or conclusion from a superior or an authoritative institution.
[Examples]
上司から正式な判断が下りるまで、プロジェクトは始められません。
The project cannot start until an official decision comes down from the boss.
今週中に判断が下りる予定です。
A decision is expected to be handed down sometime this week.
③ （Responsibility / Position）を下りる
Expresses stepping down from a position of responsibility or authority.
[Examples]
3年ほどリーダーを務めましたが、今回で下りることになりました。
I served as the leader for about three years, but I’ve decided to step down this time.
夫は社長の座を下りる決断をしました。
My husband has decided to step down from his position as president.
下る (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
① To move from a high place to a low place
② To move from the upper reaches of a river to the lower reaches
[Part of Speech]
Intransitive verb
[Examples]
坂道を下るときは、気をつけてください。（①）
When you go down the slope, please be careful.
谷を下っていくと、きれいな滝が見えてきます。（①）
As you descend the valley, you will start to see a beautiful waterfall.
木舟で川を下っていくと、景色がだんだん変わっていきました。（②）
As we traveled downstream in a wooden boat, the scenery gradually changed.
This word is often used with natural features like “mountain,” “river,” and “slope” to describe movement from the upper part to the lower part.
[Examples]
この川を下れば、町が見えてくるはずです。
If you follow this river downstream, you should see the town.
⇒ It describes moving from the upper reaches of the river to the lower reaches.
1時間ほど歩いて、坂道を下りました。
I walked for about an hour and went down the hill.
This verb is also commonly used in fixed expressions to express abstract meanings.
① 命令・判断が下る
It conveys the idea that something is given or declared by an authoritative figure (like the government, a boss, or an organization).
[Examples]
裁判所から厳しい判断が下りました。
A strict decision was handed down by the court.
社員たちは、本社から人事異動の命令が下るのを緊張しながら待っていました。
The employees were waiting nervously for the transfer order from the head office.
② 処分・罰が下る
It expresses that a penalty or disciplinary action is imposed in response to someone’s actions.
[Examples]
規則違反に対して処分が下りました。
A penalty was imposed for violating the rules.
神の怒りが下る。（慣用的な表現）
Divine wrath was unleashed. (This is a figurative expression)
Summary
| Part of speech | Meaning | Nuance / Features | Examples of usage for abstract things | |
| 下がる | Intransitive verb | ① The position of something moves from a high place to a low place ② To move backward, to retreat ③ Degree, value, price, temperature, etc. become lower than before | The image is that the state, level, or numerical value naturally declines, rather than through the will of the agent. Focus is on the “state” of the object. | Degree, value, price, temperature |
| 下りる | Intransitive verb | Expresses movement from a high place to a low place | Mainly refers to a person moving down from a structure or a high place | permission, decision, responsibility, position |
| 下る | Intransitive verb | Movement from a high place to a low place | Movement from the upper reaches of a river to the lower reaches Often used together with words like “river,” “mountain,” or “slope,” and indicates the movement from the top to the bottom | Orders, judgments, punishments, penalties. |
Similer Articles
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