decline

減少、低下

物の量、数、または価値が減ること。

やさしい英語で： A fall in the amount, number, or value of something.

• Sales showed a decline.
• The town has seen a steady decline in population.
• What caused the sudden decline in prices?

使い方： decline in something (There was a decline in ticket sales.); decline of an amount (The figures show a decline of ten percent.)

類義語： decrease, fall, drop, reduction

反対語： increase, rise

よく使う表現： sharp decline, steady decline, decline in sales

衰退、悪化

人や物が弱くなったり、状態が悪くなったりすること。

やさしい英語で： A change in which someone or something becomes weaker or worse.

• His health is in decline.
• The report describes the decline of the old empire.
• Regular exercise may slow physical decline.

使い方： decline in something (Her family noticed a decline in her health.); be in decline (The industry has been in decline for years.)

類義語： deterioration, weakening, decay

反対語： improvement, recovery

よく使う表現： decline in health, mental decline, in decline

下り坂

地面や道が下に向かって傾いている部分。

やさしい英語で： A stretch of ground or road that slopes down.

• The road ends in a decline.
• We slowed the cart on the steep decline.
• A gentle decline led down to the river.

類義語： downward slope, descent

反対語： incline

よく使う表現： steep decline, gentle decline, on a decline

下降、降下

高い位置から低い位置へ移動すること。

やさしい英語で： Movement from a higher position to a lower one.

• The balloon began a slow decline.
• A sudden decline in altitude alarmed the pilot.
• The instrument recorded the aircraft's gradual decline.

類義語： descent, fall

反対語： ascent, rise

よく使う表現： sudden decline, gradual decline

減少する、低下する

数、量、価値が減る、または下へ移動する。

やさしい英語で： To become lower in number, amount, or value, or to move downward.

• Prices are declining.
• Demand declined sharply last year.
• Will the number of visitors decline in winter?

使い方： decline by an amount (Sales declined by eight percent.); decline from A to B (The population declined from six thousand to five thousand.); decline in something (The shares declined in value.)

類義語： fall, drop, decrease

反対語： rise, increase

よく使う表現： decline sharply, decline steadily, decline in value

断る、辞退する

何かを受け入れない、またはしないと丁寧に伝える。

やさしい英語で： To say politely that you will not accept something or do something.

• I declined the offer.
• They invited her to speak, but she declined.
• The manager declined to discuss the complaint.

使い方： decline something (She declined the invitation.); decline to do something (He declined to answer the question.)

類義語： refuse, turn down

反対語： accept

よく使う表現： decline an offer, decline an invitation, politely decline

悪化する、衰える

弱くなったり、状態が悪くなったりする。

やさしい英語で： To become weaker or worse in condition.

• His health declined.
• The patient's condition has declined since yesterday.
• Some physical abilities decline with age.

類義語： worsen, deteriorate, weaken

反対語： improve, recover

よく使う表現： decline rapidly, decline with age

それる、向きを変える

進んでいた方向や道からそれる。

やさしい英語で： To turn away from a direction or path.

• The path declines to the left.
• The line declined slightly from the straight course.
• Beyond the gate, the road declines from its former direction.

使い方： decline from something (The line declines from its original course.)

類義語： deviate, veer, turn aside

よく使う表現： decline from something, decline to one side