fall · overthrow

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 倒 relates to falling or knocking something down. 倒れる is read たおれる, and 倒す is read たおす.
• Basic usage: It distinguishes a person, tree, or object falling from something causing another object to fall.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Intransitive and transitive verbs
  • In 木が倒れる, the tree falls. In 木を倒す, someone or some force knocks or brings the tree down.
• Meaning of 面倒
  • 面倒(めんどう) can mean trouble, but 面倒を見る means to take care of someone or something. Learn this expression separately from the falling sense.