打倒

• Pinyin: dǎ dǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌+ 丁 (to strike); 倒 = 亻+ 到 (to fall, collapse)

Meaning

To overthrow; to knock down; to defeat. A verb with strong connotations of bringing down an adversary, regime, or obstacle.

Historically associated with political movements and revolutionary slogans. In modern usage, can be metaphorical (defeating a competitor, overcoming difficulties) or literal (knocking someone to the ground).

Examples

1. 拳击手一记重拳把对手打倒在地。 The boxer knocked his opponent to the ground with a powerful punch.
2. 这家创业公司凭借创新技术，成功打倒了行业巨头。 This startup successfully defeated the industry giant with its innovative technology.
3. 任何困难都不能打倒一个意志坚强的人。 No difficulty can defeat a person with a strong will.

Usage Guide

Context: competition, struggle, sports

Tone: forceful

Do Say

• 他被一拳打倒了。(He was knocked down with one punch.)
• 我们不会被困难打倒。(We will not be defeated by difficulties.)

Don't Say

• 打倒那个杯子 (Use 打翻 for accidentally knocking over objects — 打倒 implies intentional defeating)

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (to strike) + 倒 (to fall, topple). Together meaning to strike down or cause to fall.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal