降りる
oriru[o̞ɾʲiɾɯ̟]
To get off in Japanese is 降りる (oriru). Wiktionary also lists 下車する (gesha-suru).
Meaning: (''ambitransitive'') to disembark from (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 降りる | oriru | [o̞ɾʲiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 下車する | gesha-suru |
The standard, neutral way to say "get off" is 降りる (oriru). This verb is used when exiting a vehicle, but it is also the standard verb for descending, such as when walking down stairs or descending a mountain.
Which one should you use?
While 降りる is the general term, 下車する (gesha-suru) is a more formal or technical term used specifically for disembarking from vehicles like trains or buses.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 降りる to indicate the vehicle you are exiting, you can use either the particle から (from) or を (off/from).
How do you pronounce it?
oriru
What mistakes should you avoid?
If you are describing a situation where someone is being dropped off by another person or a driver, do not use 降りる. Instead, use 降ろす (orosu).
Did you know?
- The verb 降りる is also used when someone steps down from a throne or an official position of power, meaning to abdicate.
- The kanji 降 used in 降りる can also be read as kou in other compounds, such as 降伏 meaning 'surrender'.
- While 降りる covers most vehicles, the formal 下車する specifically uses the kanji for 'car' 車, making it unsuitable for getting off a boat or plane.
Examples in context
- 終点で降りる。We'll get off at the last station.This sentence shows how to express getting off at the last station using 降りる.Tatoeba #9793312 by Sim5634, translation #9793310 by CK
- 次の駅で降りるつもりだ。I'll get off at the next station.This sentence demonstrates using 降りる to express the intention to get off at the next station.Tatoeba #150315 by small_snow, translation #264242 by CK
- バスから降りる／バスを降りるTo get off the busThis sentence shows that 降りる can be used with the particles から or を to mean getting off the bus.
- 友達を駅で降ろします (Tomodachi o eki de oroshimasu)I'll drop off my friend at the station.
- 駅で降りる (Eki de oriru)Get off at the station.
- 友達を家まで降ろす (Tomodachi o ie made orosu)I'll drop my friend off at home.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a train station platform.
- 健太 Kenta次の電車で降りる？Tsugi no densha de oriru?Are you getting off the next train?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、ここで降りるよ。Un, koko de oriru yo.Yes, I'm getting off here.
- 健太 Kentaわかった、じゃあまたね。Wakatta, jaa mata ne.Okay, see you later.
- 陽葵 Himariまたね、健太くん。Mata ne, Kenta-kun.See you, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get off” translations and entries 降りる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
