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.
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.
The boxer knocked down his opponent with a powerful punch.
Borrowed from English, used mainly in boxing or combat sports contexts.
He was knocked down in the third round.
To cause an object to fall over, often accidentally.
Furniture sold in parts that the buyer assembles.
To knock down a building, wall, etc.
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.
I knocked down the vase. (unnatural)
To knock something over, often implying it flips or turns upside down.
The cat knocked over the cup.
壁を壊して部屋を広くした。
We knocked down a wall to make the room bigger.