Japanese word

下火

Pronunciation

Romajishitabi

Meaning

  • nounsubsiding

Example

火事は下火です。ka ji wa shita bi de su

The fire is dying down.

Illustration for 下火 (subsiding)

More examples

その店の人気は最近下火になっています。so no mise no nin ki wa sai kin shita bi ni na tte i ma su

The store's popularity has been waning recently.

Core concept

Describes a force or activity that is weakening and fading after being more vigorous.

Common phrases

  • 下火になるshita bi ni na ru

    subside

Similar words

衰えotoroe: A loss of strength, energy, or power in a person, thing, or activity.
衰退suitai: A gradual weakening that reduces strength, size, or influence over time.
沈静化chinseika: A reduction in activity, noise, or public excitement.

Definition in Japanese

燃えている火や続いている活動などの勢いが弱まった状態。mo e te i ru hi ya tsuzu i te i ru katsu dō na do no ikio i ga yowa ma tta jō tai

Word origin

下火 (shitabi) is formed from 下 (shita, "lower") and 火 (hi, "fire"); its literal picture of a lowered fire extends to anything whose strength or activity is waning.

Usage tips

  • A fire can be 下火 (shitabi), but so can a trend or controversy, because the word describes something losing momentum rather than something that has already ended.

Other meanings

  • waningnoun

Opposites

  • 盛んsakanflourishingna-adjective
  • 隆盛ryūseiprosperitynoun

Word lists with this word