Translation guide
The act of making something lower in position, amount, intensity, or status. This guide covers common Japanese expressions for physical lowering, reducing numbers/levels, and figurative lowering of status or quality.
To lower an object or body part from a higher to a lower position.
Transitive verb meaning to lower something. Used for objects, flags, curtains, etc.
Transitive verb for lowering something that was previously raised or stored, like blinds, a window, or a load from a vehicle.
Intransitive verb meaning to hang down, drop, or be lowered. Used when the subject itself moves downward.
幕が下がる
the curtain lowers
To make a value, volume, temperature, price, etc. become lower.
Transitive verb for reducing something like price, volume, temperature, or rank.
Intransitive verb for when a number or level drops by itself.
Literally 'make low', used for height, voice, or abstract levels.
声を低くする
to lower one's voice
Means 'reduce' in quantity; can be used for lowering numbers, costs, etc.
コストを減らす
to lower costs
To degrade, demote, or make something seem less valuable or respectable.
Can be used figuratively for lowering reputation, rank, or quality.
評価を下げる
to lower one's evaluation/rating
Means 'drop' and can imply lowering status or quality, often with a nuance of carelessness.
Literary/formal word meaning to debase or lower someone's worth.
Both mean 'to lower', but 下げる is general for moving something down or reducing a level. 下ろす implies lowering something that was previously raised or stored (blinds, cargo, a flag from a pole). For many physical actions, they are interchangeable, but 下ろす often has a nuance of bringing something all the way down.
To say 'I lowered myself' (e.g., into a chair), use 腰を下ろす (こしをおろす) or 座る (すわる). 自分を下げる sounds like you are degrading yourself.
the temperature lowers/drops
株価が下がった
stock prices lowered/fell
to lower one's dignity
彼の名声を貶める
to lower his reputation