下す

• Reading: くだす
• Romaji: kudasu
• Kanji breakdown: 下 (kuda/ka/ge) — below, lower, descend
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To hand down; to pass judgement; to give an order. Issuing a decision or directive from a position of authority.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugating with the s-row (下す → 下さない → 下して). While 下ろす focuses on physical lowering, 下す is used for authoritative decisions: 判断を下す (to make a judgement), 命令を下す (to issue an order), 判決を下す (to hand down a verdict). Also read as くだす in medical contexts: 腹を下す (to have diarrhoea).

Examples

1. 裁判官が判決を下した。 The judge handed down the verdict.
2. リーダーが最終的な判断を下す。 The leader makes the final call.
3. 上司が新しい指示を下した。 The boss issued new instructions.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, authority

Tone: authoritative

Origin & History

The kanji 下 depicts a line below a base, meaning 'below' or 'downward.' As a verb, the action flows from above to below — authority descending from a higher position to those beneath.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional