1.
going down, descent
Movement in a downward direction.
2.
down-train (away from Tokyo)
A train heading away from Tokyo or a major city.
3.
passage, section (of text)
A particular part or passage in a text.
Usage
- In Japanese rail, trains heading away from Tokyo (or the main city of a region) are 下り, and trains heading toward it are 上り: 下りの電車, 下り線 (the down line).
- Sense 3 is a section or passage of a book, letter, or speech, usually with この, あの or ある: この下り (this passage).
Common patterns
Compounds
- 下り坂: downhill slope; figuratively, a decline
Writing
- Sense 3 is often written in kana (くだり) or as 件.