down

Compared meaning: in a downward direction (adverb).

比较义项：向下（副词）。

• down 本词

  The everyday, general-purpose word for downward motion or position; short, informal, used in casual speech and with almost any verb (sit down, fall down, look down).

  表示向下运动或位置的最常用、通用词；简短、口语化，几乎可与任何动词搭配（坐下、掉下、往下看）。

  The cat jumped down from the tall shelf quickly.

  那只猫很快从高高的架子上跳了下来。

• downwards

  More formal and descriptive, emphasizing the direction or path of movement rather than a simple end position; common in written descriptions of motion, less used in casual speech.

  更正式、更具描述性，强调运动的方向或路径,而非简单的终点位置；常用于书面描写动作,口语中较少使用。

  The path curves downwards toward the river.

  小路朝河边蜿蜒向下延伸。

Down and downwards both mean moving to a lower place. Down is common and combines with almost any verb, like sit down or fall down. Downwards is more formal and stresses the path of movement. Down's other senses are not compared here.

两者都表示朝下方移动或位于较低位置，但 down 是最常用、最口语化的说法，几乎可与任何动词搭配；downwards 更强调运动的方向感和路径，语气略正式，常见于书面或描述性文字。这里不比较 down 作形容词（情绪低落）、动词（击倒）或名词（绒毛）等其他义项。