Word
倒す
Meaning in Englishknock down, defeat
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Word context
What it means
倒す means to cause something or someone to fall or be knocked down; it also extends to defeating an opponent or overturning a plan or obstacle, in transitive usage.
Main meanings
- Physical topple or knockdown of an object or person
- Defeating an opponent in sports, games, or conflict
- Overturning, thwarting, or defeating a plan, rule, or system
- Pouring or spilling liquid by knocking it over
How to use it
As a transitive verb, 倒す takes a direct object marked with を. It is used in casual conversation and in formal writing. Common uses include physical topple (木を倒す), defeating an opponent (敵を倒す), and overthrowing authority (政府を倒す).
Variants and close terms
- 打倒する (doutō suru) — overthrow or defeat in a formal or political context
- 打ち倒す (uchi-taosu) — to strike down with force
- 圧倒する (attō suru) — to overwhelm or overpower
Composition
- 倒: to fall, topple; left radical 亻 (person); right component 到 conveys arriving, hinting at an act that causes something to fall as if someone arrives to intervene
- す: verb-ending that turns 倒 into a transitive verb form
Etymology
倒す is formed from 倒 meaning to fall or collapse, combined with the verb する to indicate causation, yielding a transitive sense of making something fall.
Word class
Verb (transitive) (動詞・他動詞)
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