to shut down / wind down / drive down
Loading your saved state.
to shut down
To turn off a computer or another technical system in a controlled way so that all processes are ended and data is saved.
Du solltest den Computer immer ordnungsgemäß runterfahren, bevor du den Stecker ziehst.
You should always shut down the computer properly before unplugging it.
to scale back
To gradually reduce or throttle the performance, activity, or production of something.
Das Unternehmen muss wegen der Krise die Produktion deutlich runterfahren.
Because of the crisis, the company has to scale back production significantly.
to wind down
To calm down, relax, and reduce stress, often after a period of high tension or activity.
Nach einem langen Arbeitstag muss ich erst mal eine Runde spazieren gehen, um wieder runterzufahren.
After a long workday, I first need to go for a walk to wind down again.
to drive down
To drive a vehicle down a route, for example down a mountain or road.
Wir sind die Serpentinenstraße langsam und vorsichtig runtergefahren.
We drove down the winding road slowly and carefully.
'Runterfahren' (to shut down / wind down / drive down) is a separable verb. The prefix 'runter' stands at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich fahre jetzt den Computer runter.
I'm shutting down the computer now.
The verb consists of the colloquial short form 'runter' (from 'herunter', meaning down) and 'fahren' (to drive/go). All meanings derive from the idea of downward movement or reduction—whether literal, technical, or metaphorical.
Nach dem Stress muss ich am Wochenende erstmal wieder runterfahren.
After all the stress, I first need to wind down again on the weekend.
The object of the verb makes the meaning clear. If it refers to a 'Computer' (computer, m01), 'die Produktion' (production, m02), a person (m03), or a 'Berg' (mountain, m04), you know what is meant.
Wir müssen die Heizung runterfahren, um Energie zu sparen.
We have to turn down the heating to save energy.
In the meaning 'sich entspannen' (to relax), 'runterfahren' (to wind down) is often used without an object. It then describes the process of a person calming down.
Nach der Arbeit brauche ich eine Stunde für mich, um runterzufahren.
After work, I need an hour to myself to wind down.
to switch off / to unwind
With a computer or technical system, both words can express ending operation. Abschalten refers more to simply switching it off, while herunterfahren emphasizes a controlled process that ends processes and saves data. Choose herunterfahren when this orderly procedure is important.
Nach dem Speichern fuhr Ben den Computer kontrolliert herunter.
After saving, Ben shut down the computer in a controlled manner.
Nach dem Speichern schaltete Ben den Computer einfach ab.
After saving, Ben simply switched off the computer.
