下降 (xiàjiàng) — to decline, to decrease, to fall

下降 (xiàjiàng)

下降 describes a measurable decline, decrease, or downward movement in quantity, level, or degree, and is the counterpart to 上升 (to rise).

Meanings

1. [verb] to decline, to decrease, to fall, to drop (in level, quantity, or degree)
2. [noun] decline, decrease, fall (often used in compound structures)

Example Sentences

今年冬季气温明显下降，多地出现寒潮。 Jīnnián dōngjì qìwēn míngxiǎn xiàjiàng, duō dì chūxiàn hán cháo. This winter temperatures have dropped noticeably, with cold waves hitting many areas.

出生率的持续下降引发了社会各界的广泛关注。 Chūshēng lǜ de chíxù xiàjiàng yǐnfā le shèhuì gèjiè de guǎngfàn guānzhù. The continuous decline in the birth rate has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society.

由于运营成本上升，公司利润有所下降。 Yóuyú yùnyíng chéngběn shàngshēng, gōngsī lìrùn yǒusuǒ xiàjiàng. Due to rising operating costs, the company's profits have declined somewhat.

水库的水位正在持续下降，当地已拉响干旱警报。 Shuǐkù de shuǐwèi zhèngzài chíxù xiàjiàng, dāngdì yǐ lā xiǎng gānhàn jǐngbào. The reservoir water level is continuously declining, and local authorities have already sounded a drought alarm.

经过治疗，他的血压已经下降到正常水平。 Jīngguò zhìliáo, tā de xuèyā yǐjīng xiàjiàng dào zhèngcháng shuǐpíng. After treatment, his blood pressure has dropped to a normal level.

市场需求的下降迫使企业调整生产计划。 Shìchǎng xūqiú de xiàjiàng pòshǐ qǐyè tiáozhěng shēngchǎn jìhuà. The decline in market demand forced companies to adjust their production plans.

Collocations

Usage Notes

下降 is used for measurable, often gradual decline and is a neutral, factual term common in news, statistics, and scientific writing. It contrasts with 上升 (to rise) and 增长 (to grow). While 下降 can describe temperature, prices, birth rates, or quality, it tends to be used for observable, quantifiable decreases rather than sudden crashes (for which 暴跌 or 骤降 might be used).

At B2 level, 下降 is indispensable for discussing economic data, demographic trends, and environmental statistics.

Memory Hook

下 is down and 降 means to descend -- 下降 is doubly downward, like a plane descending from the sky, dropping lower and lower.