synonym Comparative
倒れる
VS
潰れる
Differences Between "倒れる" and "潰れる"
Option A
倒れる
Meaning
to fall over, to collapse (intransitive)
Reading
たおれる (taoreru)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
地震で木が倒れました。
The tree fell over due to the earthquake.
Option B
潰れる
Meaning
to be crushed; to collapse; to go bankrupt; to be ruined
Reading
つぶれる (tsubureru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
段ボール箱の底に入れられていた柔らかいイチゴが、上に載せられた重いリンゴのせいで完全に_______しまいました。
The soft strawberries placed at the bottom of the cardboard box had been completely crushed due to the heavy apples placed on top.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to fall over, to collapse (intransitive))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 倒れる: An intransitive verb meaning to fall down, collapse, or be knocked over. Often used for people, trees, or buildings. The transitive counterpart is 倒す (taosu - to knock down).
- 潰れる: Refers to physical objects getting flat or crushed under weight. Also means companies/shops going bankrupt, or opportunities/voices being ruined. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 潰す (transitive). Often used as 会社が潰れる or 顔がつぶれる (lose face). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To be crushed! "My heart is about to be sweetly crushed by your extreme cuteness, Haruka-san!" ...っ! H-Heart crushed! B-Baka! Don't make such dramatic chest-pain confessions! But... actually, my own chest is also squeezed and crushed by my doting love for you... dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つぶれる（潰れる）よ！『ハルカ部長が毎日愛おしすぎて、僕の胸は幸せな溺愛の重力で押し潰れそうです！』って…っ！心臓が甘く潰れる！バカ！そんなの私も毎日あんたへの巨大な溺愛の重みで胸が締め付けられて潰れそうなのよ！責任取ってギュッと抱きしめなさい！』
- 倒れる: An intransitive verb meaning to fall down, collapse, or be knocked over. Often used for people, trees, or buildings. The transitive counterpart is 倒す (taosu - to knock down).
- 潰れる: Refers to physical objects getting flat or crushed under weight. Also means companies/shops going bankrupt, or opportunities/voices being ruined. Intransitive verb. Opposing word: 潰す (transitive). Often used as 会社が潰れる or 顔がつぶれる (lose face). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To be crushed! "My heart is about to be sweetly crushed by your extreme cuteness, Haruka-san!" ...っ! H-Heart crushed! B-Baka! Don't make such dramatic chest-pain confessions! But... actually, my own chest is also squeezed and crushed by my doting love for you... dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つぶれる（潰れる）よ！『ハルカ部長が毎日愛おしすぎて、僕の胸は幸せな溺愛の重力で押し潰れそうです！』って…っ！心臓が甘く潰れる！バカ！そんなの私も毎日あんたへの巨大な溺愛の重みで胸が締め付けられて潰れそうなのよ！責任取ってギュッと抱きしめなさい！』
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