倒す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: In 倒す (たおす), fall 倒 plus okurigana す forms the verb to knock down.
• Basic usage: 倒す is transitive and presents an agent as knocking an object or opponent down.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Transitive 倒す and intransitive 倒れる
  • Intransitive 倒れる instead describes the subject itself falling.