Translation guide
The English phrase "knock down" has several distinct meanings, from physically causing something to fall to reducing prices or even dismantling objects. This guide organizes the most common uses for learners, with natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To hit or push someone or something so that it falls to the ground.
General verb for knocking down or defeating an opponent or object. Transitive.
彼は相手を一発で倒した。
He knocked down his opponent with one punch.
強風が木を倒した。
The strong wind knocked down the tree.
Specifically to knock someone down by punching.
彼は乱暴者を殴り倒した。
He knocked down the thug with his fists.
To mow down or knock down multiple things in a sweeping motion, like in a fight or storm.
台風が電柱をなぎ倒した。
The typhoon knocked down utility poles.
To intentionally destroy or tear down a building or wall.
Standard term for demolishing a building or structure.
古い家を取り壊して、新しい家を建てた。
They knocked down the old house and built a new one.
To dismantle or demolish, often used in formal or technical contexts.
そのビルは来月解体される予定だ。
That building is scheduled to be knocked down next month.
To persuade a seller to lower the price of something.
To haggle or bargain down the price. Common in casual shopping.
彼は市場で値段を半分に値切った。
He knocked the price down by half at the market.
To make someone lower the price, often used when the seller voluntarily reduces it.
交渉して、千円まけさせた。
I negotiated and got them to knock off 1,000 yen.
To strike a pedestrian or cyclist with a car or other vehicle, causing them to fall.
Common verb for hitting a person with a vehicle and knocking them down.
車が歩行者をはねた。
A car knocked down a pedestrian.
To run over and knock down, emphasizing the force.
トラックが自転車をひき倒した。
A truck knocked down the bicycle.
To take apart something like furniture or equipment for storage or transport.
To disassemble or take apart. Used for furniture, machines, etc.
引っ越しのためにベッドを分解した。
We knocked down the bed for the move.
Casual term for taking something apart, often used in DIY contexts.
棚をばらして運んだ。
I knocked down the shelf and carried it.
Directly translating "knock down" as ノックダウンする is usually unnatural in Japanese. Use the context-appropriate verbs above.