declining / retrograde
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declining
Decreasing, falling, or going down. Often used for numbers, trends, or economic developments.
Die Arbeitslosenzahlen sind im letzten Quartal erfreulicherweise leicht rückläufig.
Fortunately, unemployment figures were slightly declining in the last quarter.
retrograde
In astronomy, the description of the apparent movement of a planet in the sky when, as seen from Earth, it moves opposite to its usual direction of motion.
Manche Menschen glauben, dass man während der Zeit, in der Merkur rückläufig ist, keine Verträge unterzeichnen sollte.
Some people believe that during the time when Mercury is retrograde, you should not sign any contracts.
reverse
Going or arranged in a direction opposite to the usual one; leading from back to front or back to the beginning.
Ein rückläufiges Wörterbuch, das die Wörter nach ihrem Ende sortiert, ist für Dichter sehr nützlich.
A reverse dictionary, which sorts words by their endings, is very useful for poets.
The word is made up of 'rück' (back) and 'läufig' (from laufen/going). So it literally describes something that 'runs backward' or 'goes back.'
Die rückläufige Bewegung des Roboters war genau programmiert.
The robot's reverse movement was precisely programmed.
In its most common meaning, 'rückläufig' is combined with numbers, data, and trends. Typical nouns are 'Zahlen' (figures/numbers), 'Umsatz' (revenue), 'Gewinn' (profit), 'Nachfrage' (demand), or 'Entwicklung' (development/trend).
Die Nachfrage nach diesem Produkt ist seit Monaten rückläufig.
Demand for this product has been declining for months.
'Rückläufig' is very often used predicatively with the verb 'sein' (to be) to describe the state of a development. The structure is then: [noun] + ist/sind + rückläufig.
Die Verkaufszahlen für das erste Quartal sind stark rückläufig.
Sales figures for the first quarter are declining sharply.
In the context of planets and stars, 'rückläufig' is a technical term from astronomy. It describes an apparent direction of movement in the sky.
Von der Erde aus betrachtet ist der Mars gerade rückläufig.
Viewed from Earth, Mars is currently retrograde.
falling / sinking
Rückläufig and sinkend can both describe a decrease in figures. Rückläufig sounds more statistical and usually indicates a recognizable trend or development. Sinkend states more directly that a value or amount is becoming smaller and is less specifically tied to trend analysis.
Laut Monatsbericht sind die Verkaufszahlen seit Januar rückläufig.
According to the monthly report, sales figures have been declining since January.
Seit Januar beobachtet der Händler sinkende Verkaufszahlen.
The retailer has observed falling sales figures since January.
