1The top and the bottom; the upper and lower parts or ends of something.
箱の上下を間違えないように注意して運んでください。
Please be careful when carrying the box so you don't get the top and bottom mixed up.
この図では上下が逆に描かれている。
In this diagram, the top and bottom are drawn reversed.
服のタグで上下を確認してから着てください。
Check the tag to see which is top and bottom before putting the clothes on.
2Going up and down; fluctuating — changes or variations that rise and fall.
株価は最近上下が激しくて予測が難しい。
Stock prices have been fluctuating wildly recently, making predictions difficult.
気温の上下が激しくて風邪をひいた。
The large fluctuations in temperature made me catch a cold.
彼の気分の上下にみんなが振り回される。
Everyone is affected by the ups and downs of his mood.
3Going up and down; moving back and forth (e.g., between levels or along stairs).
子どもたちが階段を上下して遊んでいる。
The children are playing by going up and down the stairs.
エレベーターで何度も上下するのは時間がかかる。
Going up and down many times by elevator takes time.
彼は重い箱を部屋の上下に何度も運んだ。
He carried the heavy boxes up and down the rooms many times.
4The upper and lower classes or ranks; hierarchical relationships such as ruler and ruled or superior and subordinate.
あの会社は上下関係を重んじる文化がある。
That company has a culture that values hierarchical relationships.
上と下がはっきりしている組織では意見が通りにくいことがある。
In organizations with a clear top-and-bottom structure, it's sometimes hard for opinions to be heard.
上下の差が大きい社会問題について議論する。
They discuss social issues involving large gaps between the upper and lower classes.
5The first and second volumes (upper and lower volumes) of a work split into two parts.
その小説は上下の二巻に分かれている。
That novel is divided into two volumes, upper and lower.
図書館で上下巻を借りてまとめて読んだ。
I borrowed both the upper and lower volumes from the library and read them together.
上下がセットになっている全集を購入した。
I bought the complete works that come as an upper-and-lower set.
6Top and bottom clothing; a two-piece outfit (a set of upper and lower garments).
スーツの上下を同じ生地で揃えるとフォーマルに見える。
Matching the jacket and trousers of a suit in the same fabric gives a formal look.
運動着は上下セットで買うことが多い。
Sportswear is often bought as a top-and-bottom set.
パジャマの上下を新しくした。
I got a new top-and-bottom set of pajamas.