Translation guide
The act of reducing the size of a company, workforce, or possessions, often to cut costs or simplify life.
To reduce the number of employees or the scale of business operations, usually to cut costs.
Short for リストラクチャリング (restructuring). Commonly used for corporate downsizing, layoffs, or workforce reduction. Often implies involuntary job cuts.
To move to a smaller home, reduce possessions, or simplify one's lifestyle, often for financial or personal reasons.
Literally 'to make one's surroundings small.' A natural way to express downsizing one's lifestyle, reducing clutter, or moving to a smaller place.
定年後、身の回りを小さくして田舎に引っ越した。
After retirement, I downsized and moved to the countryside.
To make a product, device, or system smaller in physical size or scale.
Standard term for miniaturization or making something smaller, especially in technology and manufacturing.
Directly translating 'downsizing' as 縮小 or 削減 in a lifestyle context can sound unnatural or overly business-like. Use phrases like 身の回りを小さくする or 生活をコンパクトにする instead.
老後は身の回りを小さくして暮らしたい。
I want to downsize and live simply in my old age.
リストラ is the common, somewhat euphemistic term for corporate downsizing and layoffs. 人員削減 is more direct and formal, often used in official reports. In casual conversation, リストラ is more natural.
またリストラがあるらしい。
I hear there will be more downsizing.
会社がリストラを実施した。
The company carried out downsizing.
彼はリストラで職を失った。
He lost his job due to downsizing.
Formal term for personnel reduction or workforce downsizing. Often used in news or official statements.
不況のため、人員削減が避けられない。
Due to the recession, downsizing is unavoidable.
Direct loanword from English. Used in business contexts, but less common than リストラ for layoffs. Can also refer to reducing the size of products or systems.
経営陣はダウンサイジングを決定した。
The management decided on downsizing.
Refers to scaling down business operations, not necessarily just workforce. More about reducing the scope of business.
その企業は事業縮小を進めている。
The company is proceeding with downsizing its operations.
Means 'to make one's life compact.' Used when simplifying lifestyle, reducing expenses, or moving to a smaller home.
子供が独立したので、生活をコンパクトにしようと思う。
Since the kids moved out, I'm thinking of downsizing my life.
Used as a verb for lifestyle downsizing, especially among those familiar with the English concept. Often used in media about simplifying life.
最近、多くの高齢者がダウンサイジングを考えている。
Recently, many elderly people are considering downsizing.
A popular concept combining refusal, disposal, and separation from possessions. Focuses on decluttering and minimalism, not necessarily moving.
断捨離をして、本当に必要なものだけ残した。
I decluttered and kept only what I truly need.
このスマートフォンは大幅に小型化された。
This smartphone has been significantly downsized.
General term for reduction in size, scale, or scope. Can be used for physical objects, systems, or abstract things.
エンジンの縮小により燃費が向上した。
The downsizing of the engine improved fuel efficiency.
Loanword used in tech or design contexts, e.g., downsizing a car engine or a gadget. Less common than 小型化.
この車はダウンサイズターボを搭載している。
This car is equipped with a downsized turbo engine.
会社は人員削減を発表した。
The company announced personnel reductions.
会社は人員削減を発表した。
The company announced personnel reductions.