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A2 verb #2,500 más común 11 min de lectura

下げる

sageru
Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 下げる en 30 segundos
Explicación 下げる in your Level:
When beginning your journey into the Japanese language at the A1 level, the verb '下げる' (sageru) might initially seem a bit advanced, but it is actually deeply embedded in everyday physical actions that beginners can easily grasp. At its core, 'sageru' means 'to lower' something. Because it is a transitive verb, it always requires a direct object, marked by the particle 'o' (を). For a beginner, the most common context you will encounter this word in is when someone is asking you to physically move an object to a lower position. For instance, if you are carrying a bag that is too high, or if you need to lower your hand after raising it in class, 'sageru' is the verb you will use. You will often hear it in its polite request form, 'sagete kudasai' (下げてください), which means 'please lower [it]'. Another very common A1 usage is related to everyday electronics. If the television is too loud, you might be asked to 'oto o sagete kudasai' (please lower the sound/volume). If the room is too hot because of the heater, you might need to 'ondo o sageru' (lower the temperature). These are tangible, immediate actions that make the verb easy to practice. Furthermore, you will quickly learn the phrase 'atama o sageru' (to lower one's head), which is the physical description of bowing, a crucial part of Japanese culture. Even at the A1 level, recognizing that 'sageru' involves an active, downward motion initiated by a person will build a strong foundation for understanding its more complex, abstract uses later on. It is an Ichidan verb, meaning its conjugation is very simple: drop the 'ru' and add 'masu' to get 'sagemasu'. Practicing this basic conjugation alongside simple objects like 'hand' (te), 'volume' (oto), and 'temperature' (ondo) is the best way to master 'sageru' at the beginner level.
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At the A2 level, your understanding of '下げる' (sageru) expands beyond simple physical movements into more practical, daily life applications, particularly involving numbers, scales, and commerce. While you still use it for lowering volume or temperature, you now begin to apply it to concepts like prices and costs. A very common and useful phrase for A2 learners living in or visiting Japan is 'nedan o sageru' (値段を下げる), which means 'to lower the price'. You might use this when shopping at a flea market or negotiating a discount. You will also start to clearly distinguish 'sageru' (transitive - you lower it) from its intransitive partner 'sagaru' (intransitive - it lowers by itself). This distinction is a major milestone at the A2 level. For example, you must know the difference between 'I lower the temperature' (ondo o sageru) and 'The temperature drops' (ondo ga sagaru). Another new meaning introduced at this level is 'to hang' or 'to suspend'. You will learn to describe carrying a bag dangling from your hand (te ni kaban o sageru) or wearing an ID card around your neck (kubi kara kaado o sageru). This spatial usage connects the idea of 'lowering' to 'letting something hang down'. Additionally, your exposure to Japanese service culture will introduce you to the polite phrase used by restaurant staff: 'o-sage shimasu' (お下げします), meaning 'I will clear these plates'. Recognizing this phrase is essential for smooth dining experiences in Japan. By mastering these broader applications—negotiating prices, describing hanging objects, understanding service phrases, and solidifying the transitive/intransitive pair—you solidify 'sageru' as a highly versatile tool in your A2 vocabulary arsenal.
Reaching the B1 level means you are ready to engage with the more abstract and idiomatic nuances of '下げる' (sageru). At this intermediate stage, the verb is no longer just about physical space or simple numbers; it extends into social dynamics, reputation, and qualitative measurements. You will start using 'sageru' in professional or academic contexts. For example, you might talk about 'hyouka o sageru' (評価を下げる - to lower an evaluation/reputation) or 'shitsu o sageru' (質を下げる - to lower the quality). These usages require an understanding that 'lowering' can apply to abstract concepts of worth and standard. The idiomatic usage of 'atama o sageru' (頭を下げる) also deepens at this level. While an A1 learner knows it means 'to bow', a B1 learner understands its metaphorical weight: to apologize sincerely, to swallow one's pride, or to humbly request a favor, even if a physical bow does not occur. You might read a sentence like 'Kare ni atama o sagete tanonda' (I bowed my head and begged him). Furthermore, you will encounter 'sageru' in compound verbs or as part of more complex grammatical structures. You will become comfortable with the passive form 'sagerareru' (to be lowered) and the causative form 'sagesaseru' (to make someone lower). In business Japanese, which begins to surface at B1, understanding how to politely request a reduction—such as 'kosuto o sagete itadakemasen ka' (Could we have you lower the costs?)—becomes crucial. The ability to seamlessly transition between the physical (hanging a sign), the numerical (reducing a price), the abstract (lowering quality), and the social (humbling oneself) demonstrates a solid B1 mastery of this essential verb.
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At the B2 upper-intermediate level, '下げる' (sageru) becomes a tool for nuanced expression, particularly in professional, social, and psychological contexts. You are expected to wield this verb with precision, understanding its subtle implications in complex sentences. In business and economics, 'sageru' is used to discuss strategic reductions: 'kinri o sageru' (金利を下げる - to lower interest rates), 'kouritsusei o sageru' (効率性を下げる - to reduce efficiency), or 'risuku o sageru' (リスクを下げる - to mitigate/lower risk). Here, the verb is integral to discussing policy and strategy. Psychologically and socially, 'sageru' is used in idioms that describe human behavior and relationships. For instance, 'kaku o sageru' (格を下げる) means to lower one's status or dignity by doing something beneath oneself. 'Koe o sageru' (声を下げる) is used not just for volume, but to imply speaking confidentially or secretly. You will also encounter it in literary or journalistic contexts where the lowering of a flag (hata o sageru) might symbolize surrender or the end of an event. At B2, your grasp of transitivity must be flawless; you must intuitively know when a situation demands the active 'sageru' versus the passive or intransitive forms to accurately convey who is responsible for the reduction. You will also use it in advanced grammar patterns, such as 'sageru koto naku' (without lowering) or 'sageru bakari da' (keeps on lowering). The focus at this level is on collocations—knowing exactly which abstract nouns naturally pair with 'sageru' (like expectations, standards, ranks, and risks) to sound like a natural, educated speaker rather than a learner translating directly from English.
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At the C1 advanced level, your use of '下げる' (sageru) should be virtually indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. This involves a deep understanding of socio-linguistic registers, historical idioms, and highly specific contextual applications. You will encounter 'sageru' in classical or formal expressions, such as 'o-za o sageru' (to step down from a position of power) or in complex keigo (honorific language) structures. In the realm of customer service and business etiquette, you understand the profound humility encoded in phrases like 'fukabuka to atama o sageru' (to bow deeply and respectfully) and can analyze the power dynamics involved when someone is forced to 'atama o sageru' to a rival. You are also comfortable with less common, highly specific usages, such as 'koshikake o sageru' (to move a chair back) or 'maku o sageru' (to lower the curtain, often metaphorically meaning to bring an end to something). At C1, you also master compound verbs where 'sageru' acts as an auxiliary or suffix, such as 'misa-geru' (見下げる - to look down upon/despise) or 'bura-sageru' (ぶら下げる - to dangle/suspend). Understanding how 'sageru' modifies the primary verb to add a sense of downward direction or condescension is key. Furthermore, you can effortlessly read and comprehend newspaper articles discussing economic policies, where 'sageru' is used in dense, kanji-heavy sentences regarding taxation, tariffs, or corporate restructuring. Your mastery is demonstrated not just by knowing what the word means, but by your ability to select it over its synonyms (like herasu, kakeru, or fuseru) based on the exact nuance of transitivity, spatial orientation, and social register required by the situation.
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At the C2 mastery level, '下げる' (sageru) is fully integrated into your linguistic intuition. You comprehend its deepest etymological roots and its role in shaping Japanese spatial and social metaphors. You can engage in literary analysis, recognizing how authors use 'sageru' to subtly indicate a character's loss of status, submission, or psychological depression (e.g., 'kata o sageru' - to let one's shoulders drop in disappointment). You understand the cultural and historical weight behind the physical act of lowering oneself in Japanese society, and how 'sageru' encapsulates this ethos. You can debate economic theories using advanced terminology where 'sageru' is nominalized or embedded in complex relative clauses. You are also adept at recognizing regional dialects or historical texts where the usage of 'sageru' might slightly deviate from modern standard Japanese. In creative writing or high-level rhetoric, you can manipulate the verb to create novel metaphors, playing on its dual nature of physical suspension and abstract reduction. Your understanding of the transitive/intransitive dynamic (sageru/sagaru) is so profound that you can intentionally use the 'wrong' transitivity for poetic or rhetorical effect, personifying inanimate objects or removing agency from human actors. At this ultimate level of proficiency, 'sageru' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a conceptual lens through which you can articulate and interpret the intricate vertical hierarchies—both spatial and social—that define the Japanese language and culture.
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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

下げる en 30 segundos

  • Physical Lowering: Moving an object down (e.g., lowering a hand or a bag).
  • Reducing Values: Decreasing numbers, prices, volume, or temperature.
  • Hanging/Suspending: Wearing or carrying something that dangles.
  • Social/Service: Bowing (lowering the head) or clearing plates from a table.
The Japanese verb '下げる' (sageru) is a fundamental vocabulary word that learners typically encounter at the CEFR A2 level. At its most basic, physical level, it translates to 'to lower,' 'to hang down,' or 'to reduce.' Understanding this word requires a deep dive into the concept of spatial orientation and transitivity in Japanese grammar. Unlike its intransitive counterpart '下がる' (sagaru), which means for something to lower or drop on its own, '下げる' is a transitive verb (他動詞). This means it always takes a direct object, marked by the particle 'を' (o). You are the active agent performing the action of lowering something. For example, you lower the volume, you lower the temperature, or you lower your head in a bow.

温度を下げる。

This physical action of moving something from a higher position to a lower position is the core semantic trait of the word.
Physical Lowering
Moving an object downwards in space, such as a hand, a bag, or a thermostat setting.
Beyond simple physical movement, 'sageru' is extensively used in abstract contexts. When you reduce a price, you are 'lowering' it. When you decrease the volume of a television or radio, you are 'lowering' the sound.

テレビの音を下げる。

This metaphorical extension from physical space to abstract scales (like numbers, intensity, or value) is very common in Japanese. Another critical meaning of 'sageru' is 'to hang' or 'to suspend.' For instance, wearing a necklace, hanging a sign on a door, or carrying a bag dangling from your hand all utilize this verb.

肩からバッグを下げる。

In this context, the object is attached at a higher point and allowed to drop down, which perfectly aligns with the kanji '下' (down/below).
Hanging/Suspending
To wear or carry something that dangles, like an ID card around the neck or a lantern from a ceiling.
Furthermore, in the context of dining and customer service, 'sageru' takes on the specific meaning of 'to clear away' or 'to remove' plates and dishes from a table.

空いたお皿を下げる。

This originates from the idea of taking things down from the elevated dining table back to the kitchen. Finally, 'sageru' is deeply tied to Japanese social etiquette, specifically the act of bowing. The phrase '頭を下げる' (atama o sageru) literally means 'to lower one's head,' but it carries the heavy cultural weight of apologizing, showing deep respect, or making a humble request.

深く頭を下げる。

Social Lowering
To show submission, respect, or apology by physically lowering the head, a cornerstone of Japanese non-verbal communication.
In summary, mastering 'sageru' means understanding its journey from a simple physical downward motion to complex abstract reductions, the act of hanging items, clearing tables, and expressing profound social humility. It is a versatile, high-frequency verb that forms the backbone of many essential daily expressions in the Japanese language.
Using '下げる' (sageru) correctly in Japanese requires a solid grasp of its grammatical properties, particularly its status as a transitive verb. Because it is transitive, the sentence structure almost always follows the pattern: [Subject] は/が [Object] を 下げる. The subject is the person or entity performing the action, and the object is the thing being lowered, reduced, hung, or cleared. Let us examine the various ways to conjugate and apply this verb in daily conversation.

値段を下げることができますか。

In its dictionary form, 'sageru' is an Ichidan (Group 2) verb. This makes conjugation incredibly straightforward compared to Godan (Group 1) verbs. To form the polite 'masu' form, you simply drop the 'ru' and add 'masu', resulting in 'sagemasu' (下げます).
Conjugation Basics
As an Ichidan verb, the stem is 'sage-'. Negative: sagenai. Past: sageta. Te-form: sagete.
When requesting someone to lower something, you will frequently use the te-form combined with 'kudasai'. For example, if the music is too loud, you would say 'Oto o sagete kudasai' (音を下げてください).

もう少し声を下げてください。

This is a direct but polite request. In business settings, 'sageru' is often used when discussing metrics, costs, or prices. A company might aim to 'kosuto o sageru' (コストを下げる - reduce costs).

目標は経費を下げることです。

Here, the verb operates in an abstract sense, meaning to decrease a numerical value.
Business Usage
Frequently paired with words like cost (コスト), price (価格), and standard (基準) to indicate reduction.
When using 'sageru' to mean 'to hang,' the particle 'kara' (from) or 'ni' (on/to) is often introduced to specify where the object is hanging from. For instance, 'Kubi kara kamera o sageru' (首からカメラを下げる - to hang a camera from one's neck).

壁にカレンダーを下げる。

This usage highlights the spatial relationship between the anchor point and the dangling object. Another crucial application is in the service industry. When a waiter wants to clear your table, they will use the humble form 'osage shimasu' (お下げします).

こちらのお皿、お下げしてもよろしいでしょうか。

This is a fixed phrase that every learner living in or visiting Japan will hear.
Service Industry Phrase
'Osage suru' is the humble (kenjougo) form used by staff to show respect to the customer while clearing items.
By understanding these patterns—from basic physical requests to abstract business reductions, spatial hanging, and polite service industry formulas—you can deploy 'sageru' accurately and naturally across a wide spectrum of Japanese contexts.
The verb '下げる' (sageru) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in a vast array of contexts ranging from casual home environments to formal business meetings and the bustling service industry. One of the most common places you will hear this word is in restaurants and cafes. As you finish your meal, a waiter or waitress will approach your table and ask, 'O-sara o o-sage shite mo yoroshii deshou ka?' (May I clear your plates?).

グラスをお下げします。

In this environment, 'sageru' specifically means to remove or clear away.
Dining Context
Used exclusively by staff to politely indicate they are taking away empty dishes or glasses from the customer's table.
You will also frequently hear 'sageru' in retail environments, particularly during sales or negotiations. A customer might ask a shopkeeper, 'Nedan o sagete kuremasen ka?' (Could you lower the price?).

これ以上は価格を下げることができません。

In the home or office, 'sageru' is the go-to verb for adjusting appliances. If the air conditioning is too strong, someone might say 'Eakon no ondo o sagete' (Lower the AC temperature). If the television is blaring, a parent might yell, 'Terebi no oto o sagete!' (Turn down the TV volume!).

少し照明を下げて雰囲気を出しましょう。

Household Adjustments
Used for decreasing the output of electronics, such as volume, brightness, or temperature settings.
Another profound context where 'sageru' is heard—or rather, observed and spoken about—is in interpersonal apologies and requests. The phrase 'atama o sageru' (to lower one's head) is a powerful idiom. You might hear someone recounting a story saying, 'Kare ni atama o sagete onegai shita' (I bowed my head and begged him).

社長は顧客に深く頭を下げた。

This usage transcends the physical act of bowing; it implies swallowing one's pride, showing deep remorse, or asking for a massive favor. Finally, in public transportation or crowded spaces, you might hear announcements instructing passengers to lower their backpacks to make room: 'Ryukkusakku wa te ni sageru ka, ami-dana ni oite kudasai' (Please carry your backpacks in your hands [hanging down] or place them on the luggage rack).

荷物を手に下げて電車に乗る。

Public Etiquette
Used in instructions to hold items low to the ground to avoid inconveniencing others in tight spaces.
From the polite murmurs of restaurant staff to the tense negotiations of a boardroom, and the everyday adjustments of household appliances, 'sageru' is a verb that echoes throughout the linguistic landscape of Japan.
When learning the verb '下げる' (sageru), students frequently encounter a few specific stumbling blocks. The most prominent and persistent mistake is confusing the transitive '下げる' (sageru) with its intransitive counterpart '下がる' (sagaru). This transitive/intransitive pair is a classic hurdle in Japanese grammar. 'Sageru' means *you* are lowering something, while 'sagaru' means something is lowering *by itself*.

❌ 熱が下げる。 (Incorrect)

⭕ 熱が下がる。 (Correct - The fever goes down.)

Using 'sageru' with the subject particle 'ga' for an involuntary action sounds highly unnatural to a native speaker. You must use the object particle 'o' (を) with 'sageru'.
Transitivity Error
Using sageru (transitive) when the situation calls for sagaru (intransitive), especially regarding prices, temperatures, or fevers dropping naturally.
Another common mistake occurs when learners try to use 'sageru' to mean 'to get off' a vehicle. Because 'sageru' means 'to lower', English speakers sometimes mistakenly translate 'to go down from the train' as 'densha o sageru'. This is entirely incorrect.

❌ 電車を下げる。 (Incorrect)

⭕ 電車を降りる。 (Correct - To get off the train.)

The verb for alighting or getting off a vehicle is 'oriru' (降りる), not 'sageru'. 'Sageru' strictly refers to lowering an object's position, reducing a value, or hanging something.
Vehicle Confusion
Applying 'sageru' to the act of disembarking from a train, bus, or car, which requires 'oriru'.
Furthermore, learners sometimes misuse 'sageru' when talking about lowering one's voice. While 'koe o sageru' (声を下げる) is understood and sometimes used, a more natural and common expression for 'to speak quietly' is 'koe o chiisaku suru' (声を小さくする) or 'shizuka ni hanasu' (静かに話す).

△ 声を下げて話す。 (Understood, but less natural)

'Oto o sageru' (lowering the volume of a machine) is perfectly natural, but applying it to human voices can sometimes sound slightly mechanical. Lastly, a subtle mistake involves the nuance of 'atama o sageru' (lowering the head). Learners might use this literally to mean looking down at their shoes. While physically true, 'atama o sageru' carries such strong connotations of apologizing or bowing that using it just to describe looking down can cause confusion. For simply looking down, 'shita o muku' (下を向く) is the correct phrase.
Idiomatic Misapplication
Using 'atama o sageru' for the literal act of looking down, unintentionally implying an apology or bow.
By paying close attention to transitivity, avoiding vehicle-related mix-ups, and understanding the idiomatic weight of the word, learners can easily avoid these common pitfalls.
The Japanese language is rich with verbs that express downward motion, reduction, or suspension, making it essential to distinguish '下げる' (sageru) from its synonyms and related terms. The most immediate relative is, of course, its intransitive pair, '下がる' (sagaru). As discussed, 'sagaru' means for something to go down on its own (e.g., the temperature drops: ondo ga sagaru), whereas 'sageru' requires an active agent (e.g., I lower the temperature: ondo o sageru).

気温が下がる vs 気温を下げる。

下がる (Sagaru)
The intransitive equivalent. Used when the subject itself lowers, drops, or steps back without direct external force.
Another highly similar word is '減らす' (herasu), which means 'to decrease' or 'to reduce'. While 'sageru' can mean to reduce (like a price or volume), 'herasu' is specifically focused on reducing *quantity* or *amount*. You would use 'sageru' for a numerical value on a scale (like a price: nedan o sageru), but you would use 'herasu' for a physical amount of something (like reducing the amount of garbage: gomi o herasu).

体重を減らす (herasu) vs 血圧を下げる (sageru)。

When 'sageru' is used to mean 'to hang', it closely overlaps with '掛ける' (kakeru) and '吊るす' (tsurusu). 'Kakeru' is a very broad verb meaning to hang, hook, or rest something on something else (e.g., hanging a picture on a wall: kabe ni e o kakeru). 'Sageru' emphasizes the object dangling downward from a single point.

首からメダルを下げる。

'Tsurusu' is even more specific, meaning to suspend something in mid-air, often with a string or rope (e.g., hanging a lantern: chouchin o tsurusu).
掛ける (Kakeru) & 吊るす (Tsurusu)
Kakeru is general hanging/hooking. Tsurusu is suspending in mid-air. Sageru is dangling downward from an attachment point.
In the context of lowering one's head or body, '伏せる' (fuseru) is another related verb. 'Fuseru' means to lay face down, to conceal, or to cast down one's eyes (me o fuseru). While 'atama o sageru' implies a bow of respect or apology, 'fuseru' is more about physically hiding or ducking down.

目を伏せる (fuseru) vs 頭を下げる (sageru)。

Finally, for the specific restaurant usage of 'clearing plates', a synonym is '片付ける' (katazukeru), which means to tidy up or put away. While a waiter will say 'o-sage shimasu' (I will lower/clear this), the general act of cleaning the table is 'teeburu o katazukeru'.
片付ける (Katazukeru)
Means to tidy up generally. 'Sageru' is the specific polite action of removing the items from the customer's presence.
Understanding these nuanced differences allows for much more precise and natural Japanese expression.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs (他動詞 vs 自動詞)

Object Particle を (o)

Te-form for Requests (〜てください)

Humble Language (お〜する)

Noun Modification (〜ための)

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Ejemplos por nivel

1

手を下げてください。

Please lower your hand.

Te-form of sageru (sagete) + kudasai (please do).

2

テレビの音を下げます。

I will lower the TV volume.

Object particle 'o' (を) marks 'oto' (sound) as the direct object of the transitive verb 'sagemasu'.

3

かばんを下げて歩く。

I walk carrying a bag (hanging down).

Te-form used to connect two actions: carrying (hanging) the bag and walking.

4

頭を下げました。

I lowered my head (bowed).

Past tense polite form 'sagemashita'.

5

エアコンの温度を下げて。

Lower the AC temperature.

Casual request using just the te-form 'sagete'.

6

いすを少し下げます。

I will lower the chair a little.

Adverb 'sukoshi' (a little) modifies the verb 'sagemasu'.

7

お皿を下げてもいいですか。

May I clear the plates?

Te-form + mo ii desu ka (asking for permission).

8

荷物を下に下げてください。

Please lower your luggage to the ground.

Directional particle 'ni' (to) used with 'shita' (down/below).

1

このカメラは首から下げることができます。

You can hang this camera from your neck.

Dictionary form + koto ga dekiru (potential form expressing ability).

2

もう少し値段を下げてくれませんか。

Could you lower the price a little more?

Te-form + kuremasen ka (polite request for someone to do something for you).

3

熱を下げるために薬を飲みました。

I took medicine in order to lower my fever.

Dictionary form + tame ni (in order to).

4

店員が空いたグラスを下げた。

The clerk cleared the empty glasses.

Past tense plain form 'sageta' used in a descriptive sentence.

5

ブラインドを下げて、部屋を暗くした。

I lowered the blinds and made the room dark.

Te-form used for sequential actions.

6

彼は申し訳なさそうに頭を下げた。

He lowered his head, looking apologetic.

Adverbial phrase 'moushiwakenasasou ni' modifying the action of bowing.

7

スピードを下げないと危ないですよ。

It's dangerous if you don't lower your speed.

Negative form 'sagenai' + to (conditional 'if').

8

壁にカレンダーを下げてあります。

A calendar is hung on the wall.

Te-form + arimasu (expresses a state resulting from an intentional action).

1

会社のコストを下げるための新しい計画が発表された。

A new plan to lower company costs was announced.

Noun modification: 'kosuto o sageru tame no' modifies 'keikaku' (plan).

2

あのレストランは最近、サービスの質を下げた気がする。

I feel like that restaurant has lowered its quality of service recently.

Abstract usage of 'sageru' with 'shitsu' (quality).

3

いくら頭を下げても、彼は許してくれなかった。

No matter how much I bowed my head (apologized), he wouldn't forgive me.

Ikura + te-form + mo (no matter how much...).

4

血圧を下げる効果があるお茶を毎日飲んでいます。

I drink tea that has the effect of lowering blood pressure every day.

Relative clause 'ketsuatsu o sageru kouka ga aru' modifying 'o-cha' (tea).

5

こちらのお皿はお下げしてもよろしいでしょうか。

Would it be alright if I clear these plates?

Humble form 'o-sage shimasu' changed to te-form + mo yoroshii deshou ka.

6

目標を下げることは、失敗を認めることと同じだ。

Lowering your goals is the same as admitting defeat.

Dictionary form + koto (nominalization) used as the subject.

7

彼は肩からカメラを下げたまま、一日中歩き回った。

He walked around all day with the camera still hanging from his shoulder.

Past tense 'sageta' + mama (leaving something in a certain state).

8

評価を下げないように、締め切りは必ず守ります。

I will definitely keep the deadline so as not to lower my evaluation.

Negative form 'sagenai' + you ni (so that... not).

1

金利を下げることで、経済の活性化を図る狙いがある。

The aim is to stimulate the economy by lowering interest rates.

Dictionary form + koto de (by means of doing).

2

自分の基準を下げてまで、その仕事を引き受けるべきではない。

You shouldn't accept that job if it means going so far as to lower your own standards.

Te-form + made (going to the extent of...).

3

リスクを下げるための対策を早急に講じる必要がある。

There is a need to urgently implement measures to lower the risk.

Formal vocabulary 'taisaku o koujiru' (implement measures) paired with 'risuku o sageru'.

4

彼はプライドを捨てて、ライバルに頭を下げた。

He threw away his pride and bowed his head to his rival.

Metaphorical use of 'atama o sageru' implying submission or asking for help.

5

これ以上価格を下げられると、利益が全く出なくなってしまう。

If the price is lowered any further, we won't make any profit at all.

Passive form 'sagerareru' used in an adversarial sense (if we are subjected to the price being lowered).

6

声を潜め、トーンを下げて秘密の話を始めた。

Lowering his voice and dropping his tone, he began to tell a secret.

Parallel structure using 'koe o hisome' and 'toon o sagete'.

7

天井から吊り下げられたシャンデリアが美しく輝いていた。

The chandelier hung from the ceiling was shining beautifully.

Compound verb 'tsuri-sageru' (to hang/suspend) in the passive past form 'tsurisagerareta'.

8

期待値を下げておいた方が、後でがっかりせずに済む。

It's better to lower your expectations in advance, so you won't end up disappointed later.

Te-form + oku (doing something in advance) + hou ga ii (it is better to).

1

不祥事により、その企業は社会的な信用を著しく下げる結果となった。

Due to the scandal, the company ended up significantly lowering its social credibility.

Formal written style using 'ni yori' (due to) and 'ichijirushiku' (significantly).

2

彼の実力を見下げてかかると、痛い目に遭うぞ。

If you start by looking down on his abilities, you'll be in for a rude awakening.

Compound verb 'mi-sageru' (to look down on/despise) + te kakaru (to approach a situation with a certain attitude).

3

幕を下げる時が来たのだと、彼は静かに悟った。

He quietly realized that the time had come to lower the curtain (bring things to an end).

Idiomatic expression 'maku o sageru' meaning to end an era or a career.

4

消費税の引き下げを求める声が、日に日に高まっている。

Voices demanding the lowering of the consumption tax are growing louder day by day.

Noun form 'hiki-sage' (reduction/lowering) used in a journalistic context.

5

深々と頭を下げ、彼は恩師への感謝の意を表した。

Bowing deeply, he expressed his gratitude to his former teacher.

Adverb 'fukabuka to' (deeply) emphasizing the profound nature of the bow.

6

品質を維持しつつ原価を下げるという、相反する課題に直面している。

We are facing the contradictory challenge of lowering cost prices while maintaining quality.

Tsutsu (while) used to contrast maintaining quality with lowering costs.

7

その発言は、彼自身の品格を下げるものでしかなかった。

That remark did nothing but lower his own dignity.

Abstract noun 'hinkaku' (dignity/grace) paired with 'sageru'.

8

軒先に提灯をぶら下げて、祭りの雰囲気を演出した。

They dangled paper lanterns from the eaves to create a festival atmosphere.

Compound verb 'bura-sageru' (to dangle) used to describe creating an atmosphere.

1

為替介入により、政府は意図的に円の価値を押し下げようと試みた。

Through currency intervention, the government attempted to intentionally push down the value of the yen.

Compound verb 'oshi-sageru' (to push down) used in advanced economic discourse.

2

己の非を認め、潔く頭を下げることこそが、真のリーダーの器である。

Admitting one's faults and bowing one's head gracefully is precisely what shows the caliber of a true leader.

Literary/philosophical structure using 'koso ga' (precisely what is) and 'utsuwa' (caliber/capacity).

3

溜飲を下げる思いで、彼は長年の宿敵の敗北を見届けた。

With a feeling of immense satisfaction (lowering his sour stomach), he witnessed the defeat of his longtime nemesis.

Advanced idiom 'ryuuin o sageru' meaning to feel satisfied after a grievance is resolved.

4

暖簾を下げるという決断は、代々続く老舗にとって断腸の思いであったに違いない。

The decision to lower the shop curtain (close the business) must have been a heart-rending ordeal for the long-standing traditional shop.

Idiom 'noren o sageru' (to close a business) combined with 'danchou no omoi' (heart-rending grief).

5

交渉のテーブルにおいて、安易に要求水準を下げることは命取りになりかねない。

At the negotiation table, easily lowering your level of demands could prove fatal.

Advanced grammar 'ni kanenai' (could potentially lead to a bad result) used with 'suyjun o sageru'.

6

彼は肩を落とし、目線を下げたまま、一言も発しようとはしなかった。

Dropping his shoulders and keeping his gaze lowered, he showed no intention of uttering a single word.

Poetic/literary description combining 'kata o otoshi' and 'mesen o sageta mama'.

7

権威を笠に着て人を見下げるような態度は、到底看過できるものではない。

An attitude of looking down on people while hiding behind one's authority is absolutely intolerable.

Idiom 'ken'i o kasa ni kite' (hiding behind authority) modifying the compound verb 'mi-sageru'.

8

インフレ抑制のため、中央銀行は市場の過熱感を冷まし、物価上昇圧力を引き下げる舵取りを迫られている。

To curb inflation, the central bank is forced to steer a course that cools the market's overheating and pulls down upward pressure on prices.

Highly complex journalistic sentence using 'hiki-sageru' (to pull down/reduce) in an abstract economic context.

Colocaciones comunes

頭を下げる (atama o sageru - to bow/apologize)
値段を下げる (nedan o sageru - to lower the price)
音を下げる (oto o sageru - to lower the volume)
温度を下げる (ondo o sageru - to lower the temperature)
お皿を下げる (o-sara o sageru - to clear the plates)
評価を下げる (hyouka o sageru - to lower reputation/evaluation)
コストを下げる (kosuto o sageru - to reduce costs)
首から下げる (kubi kara sageru - to hang from the neck)
声を下げる (koe o sageru - to lower one's voice)
質を下げる (shitsu o sageru - to lower the quality)

Frases Comunes

お下げします (o-sage shimasu - I will clear this [plates])
頭を下げて頼む (atama o sagete tanomu - to bow and beg)
少し下げてください (sukoshi sagete kudasai - please lower it a little)
熱を下げる (netsu o sageru - to bring down a fever)
血圧を下げる (ketsuatsu o sageru - to lower blood pressure)
ハードルを下げる (haadoru o sageru - to lower the hurdle/standards)
溜飲を下げる (ryuuin o sageru - to feel satisfied/vindicated)
肩から下げる (kata kara sageru - to hang from the shoulder)
幕を下げる (maku o sageru - to lower the curtain/end something)
男を下げる (otoko o sageru - to lose face as a man)

Se confunde a menudo con

下げる vs 下がる (sagaru) - Intransitive pair. 'Sagaru' is the object moving down on its own. 'Sageru' is you moving it down.

下げる vs 減らす (herasu) - Means to decrease. 'Herasu' is for physical quantities/amounts. 'Sageru' is for levels, scales, and prices.

下げる vs 降りる (oriru) - Means to go down or get off. Do not use 'sageru' for getting off a train or walking down stairs.

Modismos y expresiones

"頭が下がる (atama ga sagaru - to admire/respect greatly [Note: uses intransitive sagaru])"
"溜飲を下げる (ryuuin o sageru - to clear one's chest of a grievance)"
"男を下げる (otoko o sageru - to damage one's reputation/honor)"
"株を下げる (kabu o sageru - to lose popularity or reputation)"
"暖簾を下げる (noren o sageru - to close a business for the day or permanently)"
"看板を下げる (kanban o sageru - to take down one's sign/close business)"
"腰を低く下げる (koshi o hikuku sageru - to be humble/polite)"
"目線を下げる (mesen o sageru - to look down/lower one's perspective to someone else's level)"
"トーンを下げる (toon o sageru - to tone down/speak more quietly)"
"ハードルを下げる (haadoru o sageru - to make something easier to achieve)"

Fácil de confundir

下げる vs

下げる vs

下げる vs

下げる vs

下げる vs

Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

note

While 'sageru' can mean to hang, it is usually restricted to things that dangle downwards (like a pendant or a bag). For hanging a picture flat against a wall, 'kakeru' (掛ける) is more appropriate.

Errores comunes
  • Using 'sageru' with 'ga' instead of 'o' (e.g., saying 'netsu ga sageru' instead of 'netsu ga sagaru').
  • Using 'sageru' to mean getting off a train or bus (should be 'oriru').
  • Using 'sageru' to mean going down the stairs (should be 'oriru' or 'kudaru').
  • Using 'sageru' for reducing physical quantities like weight or garbage (should be 'herasu').
  • Using 'atama o sageru' just to mean looking down, unintentionally implying an apology.

Consejos

Look for the 'を' Particle

Because 'sageru' is transitive, it almost always takes the direct object particle 'を' (o). If you see 'が' (ga), you probably need the intransitive 'sagaru'. For example, 'ondo o sageru' (I lower the temp) vs 'ondo ga sagaru' (the temp drops). This is the golden rule for this verb pair.

The Weight of the Bow

The phrase 'atama o sageru' is culturally heavy. It's not just moving your neck; it's a display of submission, respect, or deep regret. Use it carefully in conversation. If you just want to say you looked down at your shoes, use 'shita o muku' instead.

Shopping Essential

If you love shopping at markets in Japan, memorize 'nedan o sagete kuremasen ka?' (Could you lower the price?). It's the standard, polite way to haggle. Even if they can't, they will appreciate the natural Japanese.

Restaurant Cue

When you hear a waiter say 'osage shimasu', it's your cue to clear your hands from the table so they can take your plates. It's a sign of good manners to make space for them when you hear this phrase.

Scales vs. Amounts

Remember the difference between 'sageru' and 'herasu'. Think of a thermometer or a volume dial for 'sageru' (scales). Think of a pile of apples or a pile of trash for 'herasu' (amounts). This mental image prevents mixing them up.

Lowering the Voice

While 'koe o sageru' is understood, native speakers often prefer 'koe o chiisaku suru' (make the voice small) for asking someone to be quiet. Save 'sageru' for the TV or radio volume (oto o sageru).

The Directional Kanji

The kanji 下 visually represents something below a line. Whenever you see it, think 'down'. This helps connect the physical meaning (lowering) with the abstract meanings (reducing prices or quality).

Hanging from the Neck

When talking about ID badges or medals, the set phrase is 'kubi kara sageru' (hang from the neck). The particle 'kara' (from) is essential here to show the anchor point of the hanging object.

Cost Reduction

In a corporate setting, 'kosuto o sageru' is a daily buzzword. If you want to sound even more professional, you can use the compound verb 'hikisageru' (引き下げる), which sounds slightly more formal and deliberate.

Flat Pitch

Practice saying 'sa-GE-RU' with the pitch staying high on the last two syllables. English speakers tend to drop the pitch at the end of words, but keeping it flat (Heiban) is crucial for natural Japanese.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine you are a SAGE (sage) who RUles (ru) the kingdom. When you walk in, everyone must LOWER their heads to bow to the SAGE-RU.

Origen de la palabra

Native Japanese (Wago).

Contexto cultural

Bowing (ojigi) is categorized by the angle of the bow. A 15-degree bow (eshaku) is a casual greeting. A 30-degree bow (keirei) is standard respect. A 45-degree bow (saikeirei) is deep apology or profound respect. All involve 'atama o sageru'.

The phrase 'Osage shite mo yoroshii desu ka' is a staple of Japanese 'baito keigo' (part-time job honorifics). It shows the high level of politeness expected even in casual dining.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"すみません、少しエアコンの温度を下げてもらえませんか。(Excuse me, could you lower the AC temperature a little?)"

"このカバン、肩から下げるのにちょうどいいですね。(This bag is just right for hanging from the shoulder, isn't it?)"

"もう少し値段を下げていただけたら、買いたいのですが。(If you could lower the price a little more, I'd like to buy it.)"

"空いたグラス、お下げしましょうか。(Shall I clear your empty glass?)"

"彼があんなに頭を下げるなんて、珍しいですね。(It's rare for him to bow his head/apologize like that, isn't it?)"

Temas para diario

Write about a time you had to negotiate to lower a price (値段を下げる).

Describe your favorite bag or accessory that you hang/wear (下げる).

Reflect on a situation where you had to apologize sincerely (頭を下げる).

Explain how you adjust the temperature and volume in your room to be comfortable.

Write a short dialogue between a customer and a waiter clearing plates.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

This is the classic transitive vs. intransitive distinction. 'Sageru' is transitive, meaning you actively do the lowering to an object (e.g., I lower the volume: oto o sageru). 'Sagaru' is intransitive, meaning the subject lowers on its own (e.g., the temperature drops: ondo ga sagaru). Use 'sageru' when there is an active agent. Use 'sagaru' for natural or automatic changes. Remembering 'sageru takes an object' is the key.

No, you cannot. 'Sageru' means to lower an object, not to physically move your own body downwards along a path. To say 'go down the stairs', you must use the verb 'oriru' (降りる), as in 'kaidan o oriru'. Using 'sageru' in this context would sound like you are physically picking up the stairs and moving them to a lower position.

In the context of dining, 'sageru' means to clear away or remove plates from the table. The prefix 'o' and the verb 'shimasu' make it a humble expression (kenjougo). By saying 'osage shimasu', the waiter is politely saying 'I will humbly lower/remove these items from your esteemed presence'. It is a standard phrase in Japanese hospitality.

Not always. While it literally describes the physical act of bowing, it is frequently used as an idiom. It can mean to apologize sincerely, to swallow one's pride, or to yield to someone else. You can say 'I had to atama o sageru to him' to mean 'I had to swallow my pride and apologize', even if you were on the phone and didn't physically bow.

It is very easy because it is an Ichidan (Group 2) verb. You simply drop the final 'ru' and add your desired ending. For the polite form, it becomes 'sagemasu'. For the negative, 'sagenai'. For the te-form, 'sagete'. For the past tense, 'sageta'. There are no complex phonetic changes like there are with Godan (Group 1) verbs.

Both can translate to 'reduce' or 'decrease', but they are used differently. 'Sageru' is used for things on a vertical scale or level, like temperature, volume, prices, or rank. 'Herasu' is used for physical quantities or amounts, like reducing the amount of garbage, the number of mistakes, or your body weight. You lower (sageru) a price, but you decrease (herasu) your expenses.

While 'sageru' means to hang, it implies something dangling from a single point, like a necklace or a bag from a shoulder. For hanging clothes on a hanger in a closet, the verb 'kakeru' (掛ける) is much more natural and commonly used. You would say 'fuku o hangee ni kakeru'.

'Nesage' is a noun created by combining 'ne' (price, from nedan) and the stem of 'sageru' (sage). It literally means 'price reduction' or 'discount'. You will often see this word on signs in supermarkets or clothing stores during a sale. The opposite is 'neage' (price increase).

Yes, extensively. It is used to discuss lowering costs (kosuto o sageru), reducing risks (risuku o sageru), or lowering interest rates (kinri o sageru). It is also used in formal apologies, where a company representative might 'fukabuka to atama o sageru' (bow deeply) to apologize for a mistake. It is a crucial verb for professional communication.

The pitch accent is Heiban (flat). This means the first mora 'sa' is low, and the pitch rises on 'ge' and stays high on 'ru'. It does not drop at the end. Pronouncing it with the correct flat pitch helps you sound much more natural to native speakers.

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