Translation guide
The English word "descent" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: moving downward, family origins, a decline in quality or morals, and a sudden attack or arrival.
To express the action of going down, such as descending a mountain, stairs, or an aircraft lowering altitude.
General term for descent, often used for aircraft, elevators, or objects moving downward. Can be used as a noun or with する.
飛行機が降下を始めた。
The airplane began its descent.
Descent in the sense of going down, often used for physical movement, temperature, or levels. Slightly more formal than 降下.
気温が急激に下降した。
The temperature dropped sharply.
Refers to the downward part of a journey, like a descent from a mountain or a downhill slope. Often used in contrast to 上り (ascent).
山の下りは楽だった。
The descent from the mountain was easy.
Verb meaning to descend or get off, used for coming down from a vehicle, mountain, or stairs. Very common in daily speech.
階段を降りてください。
Please descend the stairs.
To talk about a person's lineage, heritage, or ethnic background.
Refers to family lineage or pedigree. Commonly used when discussing ancestry.
彼は武士の家系だ。
He is of samurai descent.
Bloodline or lineage, emphasizing genetic descent. Often used in phrases like ～の血筋を引く (to be descended from).
Means 'origin' or 'from'. While not a direct translation of 'descent', it is the most natural way to state someone's background (e.g., 'I am of Italian descent' → イタリア出身です).
Lineage or descent, often used in biological or historical contexts. More formal and technical.
To describe a downward trend in quality, morals, or standards.
Decline or drop in quality, standards, or ability. Very common in news and formal contexts.
品質の低下が問題だ。
The descent in quality is a problem.
Moral descent, corruption, or depravity. Used for a fall from grace or ethical decline.
A fall or descent, often metaphorical, like a fall from power or social status.
To describe a sudden, often unwelcome, arrival or attack, as in 'the descent of the police'.
A sudden attack or raid. Captures the sense of a swift, aggressive descent.
警察がアジトを急襲した。
The police made a descent on the hideout.
Invasion or raid, often used for natural disasters or enemy attacks. Implies a sudden, overwhelming arrival.
To surge or rush in, like a crowd or army. Can be used for a sudden mass arrival.
While 降下 (こうか) means physical descent, using it for family background would be unnatural. Use 家系 or 血筋 instead.
Both mean 'descent' in the physical sense. 降下 is often used for controlled descent (aircraft, elevators), while 下降 is broader and includes natural phenomena like temperature drops.
She is of Irish descent.
彼はイタリア出身です。
He is of Italian descent.
この犬は古い系統に属する。
This dog belongs to an ancient line of descent.
His descent into depravity began with alcohol.
彼は権力の座から転落した。
He fell from power (experienced a descent from power).
台風の襲来に備える。
Prepare for the descent of the typhoon.
観光客が島に押し寄せた。
Tourists descended on the island.