derribado
/deribado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "knocked over" is translated into Spanish as derribado.
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that has been caused to fall to the ground by being hit or pushed. In addition to direct translations for the act of knocking something over, the phrase patas arriba can be used to convey that something is in disarray or upside down.
Which one should you use?
While derribado is a formal way to describe inanimate objects or structures that have been toppled, the term tirado or tirada provides an informal way to say something has been knocked or thrown down. The verb tirar is a common, colloquial alternative to the verb derribar when performing the action of knocking something over.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective derribado is derived from the transitive verb derribar. Because it functions as an adjective, the form must agree in gender and number with the object that was knocked over: use derribado for masculine singular, derribada for feminine singular and derribados for masculine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/deribado/
Did you know?
- The word derribar shares a root with arriba, meaning 'up', because the action of knocking something down often involves lifting or pushing it from a base.
- While derribar is the standard term for knocking something over, the word derribar also shares a root with the word for 'to down' or 'to conquer' a city or a fortification during a siege.
- The Spanish language uses derribar metaphorically to describe the act of knocking over or breaking down someone's arguments or emotional defenses.
Examples in context
- El viento fuerte derribó el árbol.The strong wind knocked over the tree.
- El movimiento sísmico derribó varios edificios.The seismic movement knocked over several buildings.
- ¡El gato tiró todas las fotos del estante!The cat knocked over all the photos from the shelf!
- Mi hermano menor tiró el jarrón.My younger brother knocked over the vase.
- La silla está volcada.The chair is knocked over.
- El perro ha derribado el jarrón.The dog has knocked over the vase.
- El viento fuerte ha derribado la valla.The strong wind has knocked over the fence.
- ¿Has derribado tú el castillo de arena?Did you knock over the sandcastle?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at a mess in the living room.
- Javier¡Mira, el gato ha derribado la lámpara!Look, the cat has knocked over the lamp!
- ElenaNo te preocupes, Javier, no se rompió.Don't worry, Javier, it didn't break.
- JavierMenos mal, qué susto me ha dado.Thank goodness, it gave me a fright.
- ElenaYo la recojo ahora mismo.I will pick it up right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
