runter
down
Colloquial short form of 'herunter' (down); expresses movement from a higher to a lower position.
EXAMPLE
Kommst du bitte vom Baum runter?
Could you please come down from the tree?
runter
down
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Meanings
runter
down
Colloquial for a decrease or reduction, for example in prices, temperatures, or quantities.
EXAMPLE
Die Benzinpreise sind über Nacht wieder um zwei Cent runter gegangen.
Gas prices went down again by two cents overnight.
runter
down / download
Colloquial for downloading data from the internet or a network.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die Fotos noch schnell von der Cloud runter auf meinen Computer ziehen.
I still need to quickly pull the photos down from the cloud onto my computer.
runter
down
Colloquial for a state of emotional or physical exhaustion and dejection.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Arbeitswoche bin ich total runter.
After the long workweek, I'm totally down.
Usage tips
Colloquial form
'Runter' is the colloquial and very common short form of 'herunter' (down). In everyday language, 'runter' is almost always used, while 'herunter' sounds more formal.
EXAMPLE
Holst du mir bitte die Tasse vom Regal runter?
Could you please get the cup down from the shelf for me?
As a separable part
'Runter' often functions like a separable prefix in verbs that describe downward movement (e.g. 'runtergehen' (to go down), 'runterfallen' (to fall down), 'runterkommen' (to come down)). In a main clause, 'runter' then stands at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze kommt den Baum nicht mehr alleine runter.
The cat can't come down from the tree by itself anymore.
Context: prices & numbers
When it comes to prices, temperatures, or other values, 'runter' in combination with verbs like 'gehen' (to go) or 'sein' (to be) means a reduction or decrease.
EXAMPLE
Die Zinsen für Kredite sind wieder etwas runter.
Interest rates for loans are down a bit again.
Context: computers
In a digital context, often with verbs like 'laden' (to load) or 'ziehen' (to pull), 'runter' always means 'herunterladen' (to download).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir die neueste Version der Software runterladen.
I need to download the latest version of the software.
Describing a state
In the combination 'mit etwas runter sein' (to be worn out from something) or 'total runter sein' (to be totally down), the word describes a state of exhaustion or dejection. Here it is used like an adjective after the verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Marathon war ich mit meinen Kräften völlig runter.
After the marathon, I was completely at the end of my strength.
Compare with
runter vs hinunter
down / downward
Runter and hinunter can both express movement downward. Runter is the colloquial short form and often leaves the exact direction unspecified, while hinunter more precisely marks movement downward and away from the speaker. Use runter in everyday speech and hinunter when this direction is important.
runter
Komm bitte runter in den Hof, dort wartet der Bus auf uns.
Please come down to the courtyard; the bus is waiting for us there.
hinunter
Geh bitte hinunter in den Hof, dort wartet der Bus auf dich.
Please go down to the courtyard; the bus is waiting for you there.
In real life
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