1.
dropping, releasing from above
The act of dropping or releasing something from a height, such as dropping bombs from aircraft or dropping supplies by parachute.
爆弾が投下された。
Bombs were dropped.
被災地に食料が空から投下された。
Food was dropped from the air into the disaster area.
戦時中、この都市には大量の焼夷弾が投下された。
During the war, a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped on this city.
2.
investment, injection (of capital or resources)
Committing capital, resources, or effort into a project, business, or initiative. A figurative extension of the idea of 'throwing something in.'
資本を投下する。
To invest capital.
この事業には莫大な資金が投下されている。
Enormous funds have been invested in this project.
新規プロジェクトに人材と予算を投下する判断が下された。
The decision was made to invest personnel and budget into the new project.
USAGE:
Used as both a noun and a suru verb. Sense 1 (dropping) often appears in historical and military contexts. Sense 2 (investment) is common in business and economics, where it refers to committing resources. The two senses share the core image of directing something downward or into a target.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 爆弾を投下する: to drop bombs
- 資本投下: capital investment
- 資金を投下する: to invest funds
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 投入: input, deployment (broader, less formal)
- 投資: investment (financial, the standard business term)