downhill
Loading your saved state.
downhill
Describes a movement or direction from a higher point to a lower point, down a slope or mountain.
Nach dem anstrengenden Aufstieg konnten wir den Rest des Weges gemütlich bergab rollen lassen.
After the strenuous climb, we were able to coast comfortably downhill for the rest of the way.
to go downhill
A figurative meaning that describes a negative development, decline, or deterioration.
Seit der Wirtschaftskrise geht es mit dem Unternehmen leider stetig bergab.
Since the economic crisis, the company has unfortunately been steadily going downhill.
The word is made up of 'Berg' (mountain) and the direction particle 'ab' (down/off). So it literally means 'den Berg hinunter' (down the mountain).
Wir sind den ganzen Weg vom Gipfel bergab gewandert.
We hiked downhill all the way from the summit.
'Bergab' (downhill) is used as an adverb of direction and describes a verb of movement. It is not declined before a noun like a normal adjective.
Die Straße führt hier steil bergab.
The road goes steeply downhill here.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'es geht bergab mit' (things are going downhill for/with) + dative. It describes a negative development.
Seit dem Chefwechsel geht es mit der Firma bergab.
Since the change in management, the company has been going downhill.
In the literal meaning, 'bergab' (downhill) is often combined with verbs of movement. Typical examples are: 'bergab gehen' (to walk downhill), 'bergab fahren' (to drive/ride downhill), 'bergab radeln' (to cycle downhill), or 'bergab laufen' (to run/walk downhill).
Mit dem Fahrrad kann man hier wunderbar bergab fahren.
You can ride wonderfully downhill here by bike.
downward
Bergab and abwärts both describe movement or development downward. Bergab is especially suitable for a slope or a development for the worse, while abwärts more generally describes any direction downward. Use bergab for a descent or decline, and abwärts for a neutral spatial direction.
Der Weg führt bergab zum Dorf, deshalb bremsen die Radfahrer vorsichtig.
The path leads downhill to the village, so the cyclists are braking carefully.
Der Aufzug fährt langsam abwärts in die Tiefgarage.
The elevator is slowly going downward into the underground garage.
