Meaning and Usage
The verb 転がる (ころがる) primarily means "to roll" or "to tumble." It describes objects or sometimes people moving by rolling over a surface, often in an uncontrolled or natural way. It can be used literally for balls, stones, or other round objects, as well as figuratively for people or things moving or falling over.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 転がる in everyday situations involving physical movement, such as balls rolling down slopes or children tumbling on the ground. It can also describe something lying around loosely, like a wallet or a ball that is not fixed in place.
Collocations and Patterns
- 坂道を転がる: to roll down a slope
- ～が転がっている: something is lying around loosely
- 芝生の上で転がる: to roll around on the grass
Register and Nuance
転がる is a neutral verb used in casual and formal contexts. It is not particularly polite or casual but fits well in everyday conversation and written descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 転がる with 転ぶ (ころぶ), which means "to fall down" or "to stumble." Remember, 転がる emphasizes rolling or tumbling motion, while 転ぶ focuses on falling or tripping without necessarily rolling.