How to say "lower" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 下ろすおろすgodan verb, transitive verbFor physically moving something downward from a raised position — lowering a hand, taking down a flag, lowering a shutter, dropping an anchor. The object travels from high to low.
- 引き下げるひきさげるichidan verb, transitive verbLowers abstract, often numerical things: prices, taxes, standards, levels. Think 'bring down' or 'cut' — a company or government lowers the figure rather than moving a physical object.
- 低めるひくめるichidan verb, transitive verbTreats lowering as reducing a level, degree, or amount; it can also mean 'to be lowered'. For many everyday purposes 下げる covers the same ground and is the simpler first choice.
- 垂れるたれるichidan verb, intransitive verbReally means to hang, droop, dangle, or sag — not the act of lowering something. Seldom the word you want for 'lower'; use it only when hanging or drooping is the point.
- 下げるさげるichidan verb, transitive verbThe versatile default: lowers physical things (one's head, a hanging object) and reduces abstract ones such as prices or levels. When unsure which verb to pick for 'lower', start here.
Use 「下ろす」 for physically taking something down, 「下げる」 as the all-purpose verb for lowering or reducing, 「引き下げる」 for prices, taxes and standards, 「低める」 for lowering a level or degree, and 「垂れる」 only for hanging or drooping.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 下ろすおろすto take down
- 引き下げるひきさげるto lower (a price, tax, standard, etc.)
- 低めるひくめるto lower
- 垂れるたれるto hang
- 低まるひくまるto lower
- 取り下ろすとりおろすto take down
- 垂れ下げるたれさげるto hang (a curtain)
- 下げるさげるto lower
- 下すくだすto let go down
- 沈めるしずめるto lower (e.g. one's body into a chair)
- 落とすおとすto lower (e.g. shoulders or voice)
- 崩すくずすto lower (a price)
See also
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