How to say "descend" in Japanese

• 降りるおりるJLPT N5approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for physically moving down from a higher place, as in descending a mountain; when a person comes or goes down, this is usually the word you want.
  あのプロのスキーヤーは離れ業はなれわざをしながら山やまをおりるのが好すきだった。↗

  The professional skier liked to "hot-dog" down the mountain.
• 下るくだるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbAlso means to descend or go down, overlapping closely with 降りる; it often suggests movement down along a slope or a river, while 降りる is the usual choice for coming down a mountain.
  山やまを下くだったところに学校がっこうがある。↗

  There is a school down the mountain.
• 沈むしずむJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'descend' when something goes down below a surface or the horizon, like the setting sun or a sinking ship; not the verb for a person walking down a mountain — that is 降りる.
  太陽たいようが水平線すいへいせんの下したに沈しずんだ。↗

  The sun sank below the horizon.

For someone coming down from a higher place, 「降りる」 is the usual choice; 「下る」 is a close synonym often suggesting movement down a slope or river; 「沈む」 is for sinking or the setting sun.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 降りるおりるto descend (e.g. a mountain)
• 下るくだるto descend
• 身を落とすみをおとすto descend
• 雪崩れるなだれるto slope
• 沈むしずむto go down (e.g. sun)