The Meaning of korobu [転ぶ] In Japanese

転ぶ
ころぶ
Romaji: korobu N5

What does 転ぶ mean?

Translation and Meaning

to fall down, to stumble, to tumble

Definition

転ぶ means to lose balance and end up on the ground, typically due to slipping or tripping; it describes a physical topple from an upright position.

Type

Verb (五段動詞, godan)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Physical fall: to lose balance and end up on the ground
  • Stumble or trip while walking or running
  • Figurative: to take a turn or change direction in a plan or story

Composition

  • 転: turn, rotate; ぶ: okurigana indicating the verb ending

Usage

Used in casual and everyday speech to describe an accidental loss of balance that ends with the person or animal on the ground; in formal contexts, use 転びます; common in scenarios involving slipping on wet or uneven surfaces or tripping over obstacles; subject typically marked with が or は in simple sentences.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a wheel turning (転) as you tumble, linking korobu to turning over in your mind

Variations

  • 転倒する (てんとうする, tentou suru) fall down, collapse
  • つまずく (つまずく, tsumazuku) to stumble
  • ひっくり返る (ひっくりかえる, hikkurikaeru) to flip over
  • ころぶ (ころぶ, korobu) kana form, same meaning

Example Phrases

  • 公園で子どもが転ぶ瞬間を見た。
    Kōen de kodomo ga korobu shunkan o mita.
    I saw the moment a child fell in the park.
    Lista:
    • 公園で (Kōen de) – in the park
    • 子どもが (kodomo ga) – the child
    • 転ぶ (korobu) – to fall
    • 瞬間を (shunkan o) – the moment
    • 見た (mita) – saw
    『転ぶ』 is an intransitive verb meaning ‘to fall’; here it is the verb in 「転ぶ瞬間を見た」, showing you witnessed the moment of the fall.
転ぶ