Translation guide
The English phrase "go downhill" can refer to physical descent or metaphorical decline. This guide covers both meanings, with a focus on natural Japanese expressions.
Expressing movement down a slope, hill, or road.
The most direct and natural way to say 'go down a hill/slope'. 坂 (saka) means 'hill' or 'slope', and 下る (kudaru) means 'to descend'.
自転車で坂を下るのは気持ちいい。
It feels great to go downhill on a bicycle.
Literally 'go on a downhill slope'. 下り坂 (kudarizaka) specifically means a descending slope. Slightly more descriptive than 坂を下る.
Expressing that a situation, quality, or condition is deteriorating.
The most common and versatile way to say 'get worse' or 'go downhill'. Can be used for health, situations, quality, etc.
彼の健康は最近悪くなっている。
His health has been going downhill recently.
Do not use 坂を下る (saka o kudaru) to mean 'go downhill' in the metaphorical sense. It only means physically descending a slope. For decline, use 悪くなる or other options above.
This road goes downhill all the way.
The verb 'to descend' can be used alone when the context makes it clear you are going downhill. Often used with a starting point or destination.
山を下ると小さな村があった。
Going down the mountain, there was a small village.
The company's performance went downhill.
Literally 'to fall', used metaphorically for a drop in quality, performance, or condition. Often used with nouns like 品質 (quality) or 成績 (grades).
最近、彼の仕事の質が落ちている。
The quality of his work has been going downhill lately.
A formal term meaning 'decline' or 'decay', used for civilizations, industries, or organizations. Too strong for personal matters.
その産業は衰退し始めた。
The industry started to go downhill.
A metaphorical use of 'downhill slope', often used for life, career, or luck. Conveys a sense of inevitable decline.
彼の人生は下り坂になった。
His life went downhill.