Translation guide
The English word "fall" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical dropping to abstract decline. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended meaning, helping you choose the right word for each situation.
Describing something moving from a higher place to a lower place under gravity.
The most common verb for something falling from a height. Intransitive.
Transitive verb meaning to drop something deliberately or accidentally.
Used specifically for precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) falling from the sky.
雨が降っている。
Rain is falling.
Formal or technical term for falling, often used in news or scientific contexts.
飛行機から部品が落下した。
A part fell from the airplane.
Describing a person losing balance and falling to the ground.
To fall down, trip, or tumble. Commonly used for people.
Describing a reduction in value, amount, temperature, etc.
Describing a decline in position, reputation, or ethical state.
Describing when an event takes place, especially a date or holiday.
Used to say that a date falls on a certain day of the week or occasion.
今年のクリスマスは土曜日に当たる。
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
A simpler way to express that an event falls on a certain date.
Describing entering a state such as sleep, silence, or love.
Describing something being part of a group or category.
To fall under a category or meet a condition.
このケースは例外に当てはまる。
This case falls under the exception.
Referring to the season between summer and winter.
The standard word for autumn/fall.
落ちる is for objects falling from a height or abstract decline. 転ぶ is for people tripping or falling over. 倒れる is for things or people falling sideways or collapsing.
花瓶が棚から落ちた。
The vase fell from the shelf.
子供が転んで泣いた。
The child fell down and cried.
木が風で倒れた。
The tree fell over in the wind.
葉が落ちている。
The leaves are falling.
彼ははしごから落ちた。
He fell off the ladder.
I dropped my smartphone.
明日は雪が降るでしょう。
It will probably snow tomorrow.
石につまずいて転んだ。
I tripped on a stone and fell.
子供がよく転ぶ。
Children often fall down.
To fall over, collapse, or be knocked down. Can be used for people or objects.
地震で本棚が倒れた。
The bookshelf fell over in the earthquake.
彼は疲れて倒れた。
He collapsed from exhaustion.
Onomatopoeic adverb for slipping and falling comically or suddenly. Casual.
バナナの皮ですってんころりと転んだ。
I slipped on a banana peel and fell flat.
Intransitive verb for something going down or decreasing. Used for temperature, prices, grades, etc.
気温が下がった。
The temperature fell.
物価が下がると嬉しい。
I'm happy when prices fall.
Transitive verb meaning to lower or reduce something.
店は値段を下げた。
The store lowered the prices.
Formal term for decrease or decline, often used in statistics or reports.
人口が減少している。
The population is falling.
To fall sharply or slump, often used for economic indicators or mood.
売り上げが落ち込んだ。
Sales fell sharply.
Can also mean to fall from grace, fail an exam, or be degraded.
試験に落ちた。
I failed the exam.
彼は権力の座から落ちた。
He fell from power.
To fall (morally or socially), often implying a steep decline.
彼は犯罪者に転落した。
He fell into a life of crime.
To be ruined or fall into decay, often used for families or empires.
その一族は没落した。
The family fell into ruin.
今年の正月は月曜日になる。
New Year's Day falls on a Monday this year.
A more formal or literary way to express becoming a state, often used with silence or ruin.
場内は静寂となった。
Silence fell over the hall.
A more casual way to say something falls into a category.
この本はベストセラーに入る。
This book falls into the bestseller category.
秋は紅葉が美しい。
In fall, the autumn leaves are beautiful.
Saying 人が落ちた usually means a person fell from a height (like a cliff or building). For tripping or slipping on the ground, use 転ぶ.
道で転んだ。
I fell on the street.
Saying 人が落ちた usually means a person fell from a height (like a cliff or building). For tripping or slipping on the ground, use 転ぶ.
道で転んだ。
I fell on the street.