Translation guide
The English word 'knockdown' can refer to the act of knocking something or someone down, or to something that can be knocked down (like knockdown furniture). This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To cause a person to fall to the ground, especially by hitting them.
Literally 'punch and knock down'. Used when someone is knocked down by a punch.
彼は相手を一発で殴り倒した。
He knocked his opponent down with one punch.
To strike down; can be used for knocking someone down with a blow, not necessarily a punch.
ボクサーは強烈なパンチで相手を打ち倒した。
The boxer knocked down his opponent with a powerful punch.
Borrowed from English, used mainly in boxing or combat sports contexts.
彼は第3ラウンドでノックダウンされた。
He was knocked down in the third round.
To cause an object to fall over, often accidentally.
General verb meaning 'to knock over' or 'to bring down'. Can be used for objects like vases, bottles, etc.
花瓶を倒してしまった。
I accidentally knocked over the vase.
Furniture sold in parts that the buyer assembles.
Standard term for 'knockdown furniture' or 'flat-pack furniture'.
この棚は組み立て式家具です。
This shelf is knockdown furniture.
Direct loanword, sometimes used in industry contexts.
ノックダウン家具は輸送コストが低い。
Knockdown furniture has low shipping costs.
To knock down a building, wall, etc.
To demolish or tear down a building.
古いビルを取り壊す計画がある。
There is a plan to knock down the old building.
General verb for 'break' or 'destroy', can be used for knocking down structures.
The loanword ノックダウン is mainly used in boxing or technical contexts. For knocking over a cup or vase, use 倒す or ひっくり返す.
花瓶をノックダウンした。
I knocked down the vase. (unnatural)
To knock something over, often implying it flips or turns upside down.
猫がコップをひっくり返した。
The cat knocked over the cup.
We knocked down a wall to make the room bigger.