倒れる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 倒れる is read as たおれる and means falling over or collapsing.
• Basic usage: It can describe a tree falling in strong wind or a person collapsing from exhaustion.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Something falling over
  • 倒れた describes a standing tree that fell because of the wind. Example: 強風で庭の細い木が倒れた。
• A person collapsing
  • 倒れる means losing the strength to remain standing because of exhaustion. Example: 疲れて倒れる前に、今日は早く休んだほうがいい。