downhill
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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.
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.
down / downward
'hinunter' and 'bergab' both have to do with movement downward. 'hinunter' is more general: you can go down stairs, a ladder, a path, or a slope. 'bergab' fits especially with a mountain, hill, or road with a downward slope. The confusion arises because both describe a downward direction. If it is really about a slope or a route going downhill, 'bergab' is more precise; in other situations, 'hinunter' is more natural.
Mit dem Fahrrad fährt ihr auf diesem Weg lange bergab.
On this path, you ride downhill for a long time by bike.
Am Bahnhof geht meine Freundin mit dem Koffer die Treppe hinunter.
At the station, my friend goes down the stairs with the suitcase.