Translation guide
The English phrase "bring down" has several distinct meanings, from physically lowering something to causing a fall from power. This guide breaks down the most common uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
To move something from a higher place to a lower place, often by carrying it.
General verb for bringing something down, such as lowering an object or taking something down from a shelf.
棚から箱を下ろしてください。
Please bring down the box from the shelf.
Often used for bringing down people or cargo from a vehicle, or lowering something like a flag.
乗客をバスから降ろした。
I brought the passengers down from the bus.
Literally 'carry and go down', used when you are physically carrying something downstairs or down a slope.
この荷物を一階に持って下りてください。
Please bring this luggage down to the first floor.
To make something fall down, such as a building, a person, or an object.
To knock down or bring down a person, object, or structure. Often implies force.
彼は相手を一発で倒した。
He brought down his opponent with one punch.
To bring down by breaking or demolishing, often used for structures or piles.
Specifically for shooting down aircraft or birds.
To cause a decrease in amount, intensity, or value.
General verb for lowering something abstract or physical, such as prices, volume, or status.
店は価格を下げた。
The store brought down the prices.
To bring down prices, rates, or standards, often through deliberate action or policy.
To reduce in quantity or number; can be used for bringing down costs, weight, etc.
To remove someone from power or authority.
Can also be used metaphorically to bring down a regime or powerful figure.
革命で独裁者を倒した。
The revolution brought down the dictator.
To cause someone to lose their position or influence, often through scandal or political maneuvering.
スキャンダルが大臣を失脚させた。
The scandal brought down the minister.
To cause someone to feel unhappy or lose spirit.
To make someone feel down or depressed.
その知らせは彼を落ち込ませた。
The news brought him down.
To darken someone's mood; to bring down the atmosphere.
彼の冗談は場の気分を暗くした。
His joke brought down the mood.
Avoid directly translating 'bring down' as 持って下りる in all contexts. This only works for physically carrying something down. For abstract uses like reducing prices or overthrowing a leader, use the specific verbs provided.
Both are read おろす. 下ろす is more general for lowering objects, while 降ろす often implies unloading people or cargo from a vehicle, or lowering something like a flag. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 降ろす has a nuance of 'bringing down from a mode of transport'.
They brought down the old building.
敵機を撃ち落とした。
They brought down the enemy plane.
政府は税率を引き下げた。
The government brought down the tax rate.
We need to bring down costs.
Literally 'drag down', used for forcibly removing someone from power.
彼らは社長を引きずり下ろそうとしている。
They are trying to bring down the president.