slope

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 坂 means a slope or sloping road; its kun-reading is さか.
• Basic usage: 上り坂(のぼりざか) means an uphill slope, while 下り坂(くだりざか) means a downhill slope. In both words, 坂 is read ざか.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Road gradients and business trends
  • A long 上り坂 outside a station or a 下り坂 traveled by bicycle is an actual road gradient.
  • If a business 上り坂になった, it entered an upswing; if sales 下り坂になった, they entered a decline. With business or sales as the subject, the words describe an improving or worsening trend.