下り

• Reading: くだり
• Romaji: kudari
• Kanji breakdown: 下 (ka/shita/kuda) — down, below, descend
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.da.ɾi/

Meaning

Down-train; outbound train going away from Tokyo. Also means descent or downhill.

A noun primarily used in transportation to describe trains heading away from Tokyo (as opposed to 上り/nobori, going toward Tokyo). Also means a downward slope or descent in general. This Tokyo-centric terminology is unique to the Japanese rail system and is essential for navigating train schedules.

Examples

1. 下りの新幹線は空いていることが多い。 The outbound Shinkansen is often less crowded.
2. 次の下り電車は十五分後に来る。 The next outbound train arrives in fifteen minutes.
3. この坂の下りは自転車で気持ちがいい。 Riding a bike down this slope feels great.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, train schedules, geography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the verb 下る (kudaru, to descend). In the Edo period, traveling away from Edo (Tokyo) was considered 'going down,' establishing the rail terminology still used today.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal