Translation guide
Describes vertical movement, fluctuation, or alternating states. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether the motion is physical, metaphorical, or describes a state.
Moving repeatedly or alternately upward and downward, such as jumping, nodding, or an elevator.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'up and down' for physical movement. Used with verbs like 動く (move), 跳ねる (jump), etc.
エレベーターが上下に動いている。
The elevator is moving up and down.
He nodded, moving his head up and down.
Noun meaning 'up and down' or 'vertical'. Can be used as a suru-verb (上下する) for movement.
この機械は上下の動きがスムーズだ。
This machine's up-and-down movement is smooth.
Repeated action pattern meaning 'going up and down' repeatedly. Emphasizes the alternation.
子供たちがトランポリンで上がったり下がったりしている。
The children are bouncing up and down on the trampoline.
Describing prices, temperatures, emotions, or performance that rise and fall.
Common pattern for fluctuating values. Can be used with nouns like 気温 (temperature), 株価 (stock prices).
最近、気温が上がったり下がったりして体調を崩しやすい。
Lately the temperature has been going up and down, making it easy to get sick.
彼の成績は上がったり下がったりだ。
His grades go up and down.
Noun meaning 'fluctuation' or 'change'. Often used in economic or technical contexts.
Noun for emotional or life ups and downs. Often used for mood or fortune.
Examining or searching a place thoroughly, often by walking or scanning.
Means 'here and there' or 'all over'. Used with verbs like 探す (search) or 見る (look).
彼は部屋の中をあちこち探した。
He searched up and down the room.
Adverb meaning 'thoroughly' or 'all over'. Implies a meticulous search.
Literally 'from top to bottom'. Used for looking someone over or checking something completely.
彼女は私を上から下までじろじろ見た。
She looked me up and down.
上下 (じょうげ) is a static noun for vertical orientation or simple up-down movement. 上がったり下がったり emphasizes repeated alternation and is more natural for describing fluctuation.
エレベーターが上下する。
The elevator goes up and down.
気温が上がったり下がったりする。
The temperature goes up and down.
English 'search up and down' does not literally mean vertical movement. Use あちこち探す or くまなく探す instead of 上下に探す, which is unnatural.
彼は廊下を行ったり来たりした。
He paced up and down the hallway.
For back-and-forth walking, 行ったり来たり is more natural than 上下.
最近、株式市場は上がったり下がったりしている。
The stock market has been up and down lately.
株価の変動が激しい。
Stock prices are fluctuating wildly (up and down).
人生には浮き沈みがある。
Life has its ups and downs.
The police searched the scene up and down.