descend

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is こう, and the kun readings are おりる, おろす, and ふる. It has 10 strokes. It appears in words for rain or snow falling and people descending or getting off transport.
• Basic usage: 降る is read ふる and 降りる is read おりる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 降る / 降りる
  • 降る means to fall and is read ふる. It describes rain or snow falling from the sky.
  • 午後から雨が降るそうだ。 means “It is expected to rain this afternoon.”
  • 降りる means get off or descend and is read おりる. It describes getting off a train or descending a mountain.
  • 次の駅で電車を降りる予定です。 means “I plan to get off the train at the next station.”