Meaning

Primary

To Fall Over

Alternative

To Fall Down

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Do you remember the word 転がる? This is kind of similar, instead of rolling, this is more for when something falls and hits the ground. It means to fall over or to fall down. Just imagine someone falling off a chair face first into the dirt and making a sound.

Reading

ころぶ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading comes from 転がる. Hopefully you know that one well enough to associate it with this one, meaning you can read them both.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 山道で転ぶ

    to fall down on a mountain trail

    歩道で転ぶ

    to fall down on the sidewalk

    道で転ぶ

    to fall down on the street

Context Sentences

小さい男の子が転んでしまいました。

A small boy fell.

雪のせいで道で転んでしまいそうでした。

I almost fell on the street because of the snow.

コウイチ、今日は転んでも泣かなかったね。

Koichi didn't cry when he fell today.

Kanji Composition