下向き
解説 Definition
上方向から下方向へ移動するさまを表す副詞。高さや順位、数値が減少する方向に向かうことを示す。身体の向きや視線などが下を向いている状態も指す。
Downward means toward a lower position, level, or direction. It is often used when talking about movement, change, or trends, such as prices, numbers, or physical motion. It usually describes a decrease or movement from high to low.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
まず down を確実に押さえ、そこに forward や toward と同じ「方向」を表す -ward が付くと考えると覚えやすいです。つまり downward は「下の状態」ではなく「下の方向へ」。視線なら look downward、動きなら move downward、数値なら prices moved downward のように、物理的にも比喩的にも“下向きの流れ”で使えます。反対は upward。down だけより、方向感がはっきり出る語だと意識すると定着します。
Start with `down`, then add `-ward`, the same direction ending as in `forward` and `toward`. So `downward` means not just "down," but "in a downward direction." It works for movement, eyes, and even numbers, like `look downward` or `prices moved downward`. Remember it together with its opposite, `upward`.
例文
The elevator moved downward slowly.
エレベーターはゆっくり下へ動いた。
Stock prices trended downward for three weeks.
株価は三週間にわたって下落傾向にあった。
She looked downward because she felt shy.
彼女は恥ずかしくて下を向いた。
downward の類義語・関連語
downward の語源・成り立ち Etymology
「downward」は古英語由来の down「下へ」と、方向を示す接尾辞 -ward が合わさった語です。down はもともと「丘」から転じて「丘を下って」が原感覚で、forward や toward と同じ -ward と合わさり「下向きに」が形になった。
Downward is made from down and the suffix -ward, which shows direction. Down comes from Old English and originally had the sense of moving off or down a hill, since down could refer to a hill or slope. Over time, the word settled into the general meaning of movement toward a lower place or direction. The same suffix appears in words like forward and toward.
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