下降 (xiàjiàng)

下降 is the opposite of 上升, describing a downward movement in numbers, levels, or abstract measures such as quality, performance, or temperature.

Meanings

[verb] to decline, fall, or drop in position, level, or quantity

Example Sentences

今天气温下降了很多。 Jīntiān qìwēn xiàjiàng le hěn duō. The temperature dropped a lot today.

公司的利润出现了下降。 Gōngsī de lìrùn chūxiàn le xiàjiàng. The company's profits showed a decline.

他的学习成绩开始下降。 Tā de xuéxí chéngjì kāishǐ xiàjiàng. His academic performance started to fall.

失业率近年来持续下降。 Shīyèlǜ jìnnián lái chíxù xiàjiàng. The unemployment rate has continued to decline in recent years.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
价格下降	prices fall
持续下降	continuously declining
明显下降	noticeably declining
大幅下降	sharply declining

Usage Notes

下降 is commonly used in formal or written contexts to describe measurable decreases in statistics, performance, or conditions. It contrasts directly with 上升. In everyday speech, 降低 can also express a decrease, but 下降 tends to be more neutral and descriptive.

Memory Hook

Picture a stone (下 means "below") dropping down (降 means "to descend") from a cliff into the water below.