Meaning and Usage
The verb "転ぶ" (ころぶ) primarily means "to fall down" or "to fall over." It is commonly used to describe someone physically losing balance and falling, often accidentally. This verb is frequently used in everyday conversation when talking about accidents or mishaps involving falling.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "転ぶ" in contexts involving children playing, slipping on wet surfaces, or tripping on stairs. It conveys a sudden, usually unintended action of falling.
Collocations and Patterns
- 転ぶ + しまう: Indicates an unfortunate or accidental fall (e.g., 転んでしまった).
- 階段で転ぶ: Falling on stairs, a common phrase describing where the fall happened.
- 滑って転ぶ: To slip and fall, often used to warn or explain how the fall happened.
Register and Politeness
"転ぶ" is a neutral verb suitable for casual and polite conversation. It is not formal but is appropriate in most everyday situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "転ぶ" with "倒れる" (たおれる), which means "to fall down" but is often used for objects or people collapsing due to illness or exhaustion rather than tripping or slipping. Use "転ぶ" specifically for physical falls caused by losing balance.