Translation guide
The English verb 'tumble' describes falling or rolling in a sudden, uncontrolled way. In Japanese, the best expression depends on what is tumbling (person, object, price) and the manner of the fall. This guide covers the most common and natural ways to express these ideas.
Describing a person falling suddenly, often rolling or tumbling down (e.g., down stairs, on the ground).
General word for falling down, tripping, or tumbling. Very common and neutral.
I tumbled down the stairs.
I tripped on a stone and tumbled.
To roll over or tumble (intransitive). Used when a person or object rolls along a surface.
He tumbled down the slope.
To tumble down (e.g., stairs, cliff). Emphasizes falling downward while rolling.
The child tumbled down the stairs.
Onomatopoeic adverb for tumbling or falling with a roll. Casual and vivid.
I tumbled head over heels.
Describing an object falling, rolling, or tumbling (e.g., rocks, books, laundry).
Intransitive verb for something rolling or tumbling. Works for objects moving on their own.
The ball tumbled down the hill.
Transitive verb: to roll or tumble something. Use when someone causes the tumbling.
To collapse or crumble. Used when a pile of things tumbles down.
Describing a sudden drop in prices, stocks, or values.
Performing a tumbling move like a somersault or flip.
Using a machine to dry clothes by tumbling them.
Realizing or understanding something suddenly (British informal).
For prices or values, avoid literal translations like 転ぶ. Use financial terms like 暴落する or 急落する.
転ぶ (korobu) is for a person falling down, often from a standing position. 転がる (korogaru) is for rolling or tumbling along a surface, and can be used for both people and objects.
A rock tumbled down the mountain.
彼は丸太を転がした。
He tumbled the log.
積み上げた本が崩れた。
The stack of books tumbled down.
The gymnast tumbled through the air.
タンブリングの練習をする。
Practice tumbling.