下降

• Pinyin: xià jiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = pictograph pointing downward; 降 = 阜 (mound/hill radical) + 夅 (descend, phonetic)

Meaning

To descend; to drop; to decline. Used for physical downward movement or a decrease in levels and values.

Can describe physical descent (an aircraft descending) as well as statistical or abstract decline (temperature dropping, sales falling). It is more formal and is often used in official reports, news, and academic contexts. The antonym is 上升 (to rise).

Examples

1. 最近几年，这个城市的犯罪率明显下降了。 In recent years, the crime rate in this city has declined significantly.
2. 气温下降了十度，大家都加了衣服。 The temperature dropped by ten degrees, and everyone put on more clothes.
3. 公司的销售额在第三季度出现了明显下降。 The company's sales showed a marked decline in the third quarter.

Usage Guide

Context: news, business, science

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今年冬天气温下降得比往年快。(This winter temperatures dropped faster than in previous years.)
• 公司利润连续三个月下降，需要找到原因。(Company profits have been declining for three consecutive months; the cause needs to be found.)

Don't Say

• 把下降用于描述道德或情感的提升。(Don't use 下降 to describe improvement or increase — use 上升 or 提高 for rising values.)

Origin & History

Compound of 下 (downward) and 降 (descend/lower), together meaning 'to go downward.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal