Translation guide
How to express 'topple' in Japanese, covering physical falling over, causing something to fall, and overthrowing governments or leaders.
Something loses balance and falls over, often from an upright position.
General verb for something falling over or collapsing. Used for people, objects, buildings, etc.
The vase toppled over.
The bookshelf toppled over in the earthquake.
To fall down, typically for people or animals losing footing. Implies tumbling or tripping.
I tripped on a stone and toppled over.
To tip over, flip over, or be overturned. Emphasizes the object ending up upside down or on its side.
The car toppled over.
To push or knock something over, making it fall.
To remove a government or person from power, often by force.
To overthrow, bring down. Used for governments, regimes, or powerful opponents.
The revolutionary army toppled the government.
Also used metaphorically for overthrowing or defeating an opponent, especially in politics or business.
To subvert or overthrow, often used for governments or systems. More formal and dramatic.
They toppled the regime in a coup.
倒れる is used when something falls from an upright position, like a vase or a person fainting. 転ぶ is specifically for tripping or stumbling, usually while moving.
He collapsed from exhaustion. (toppled over)
He fell while running. (tripped)
倒す implies intentional action. For accidentally knocking something over, use 倒しちゃった (casual) or 倒してしまった (more formal).
I accidentally knocked over the vase.
To flip over, tip over, or overturn something. Transitive of ひっくり返る.
He toppled the chair over.
彼らは独裁者を倒した。
They toppled the dictator.