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.
To push or knock something over, making it fall.
Transitive counterpart of 倒れる. To knock down, push over, or overthrow.
To remove a government or person from power, often by force.
To overthrow, bring down. Used for governments, regimes, or powerful opponents.
革命軍が政府を打倒した。
The revolutionary army toppled the government.
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.
彼は疲れて倒れた。
He collapsed from exhaustion. (toppled over)
彼は走っていて転んだ。
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).
花瓶が倒れた。
The vase toppled over.
地震で本棚が倒れた。
The bookshelf toppled over in the earthquake.
To fall down, typically for people or animals losing footing. Implies tumbling or tripping.
石につまずいて転んだ。
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.
車がひっくり返った。
The car toppled over.
子供が積み木を倒した。
The child toppled the blocks.
強風が木を倒した。
The strong wind toppled the tree.
To flip over, tip over, or overturn something. Transitive of ひっくり返る.
彼は椅子をひっくり返した。
He toppled the chair over.
Also used metaphorically for overthrowing or defeating an opponent, especially in politics or business.
彼らは独裁者を倒した。
They toppled the dictator.
To subvert or overthrow, often used for governments or systems. More formal and dramatic.
クーデターで政権を転覆させた。
They toppled the regime in a coup.
I accidentally knocked over the vase.
I accidentally knocked over the vase.