Part of Speech

The word "tumbar" is a verb.

Phonetic Transcription

/tumˈbaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To knock down
• To topple
• To throw down
• To fell
• To lay down

Meaning and Use

"Tumbar" generally means to make something or someone fall down or to bring it to the ground. It can refer to physical actions like knocking over an object or a person, but it can also carry a figurative meaning, such as bringing down an argument or a plan. The word is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, with a slight preference towards oral speech due to its colloquial nature in many Spanish-speaking countries. In Argentina, Cuba, and Chile, "tumbar" may be used in various informal and everyday conversational scenarios.

Example Sentences

1. Los vientos fuertes pueden tumbar los árboles.
   Strong winds can knock down trees.

2. El boxeador logró tumbar a su oponente en el primer asalto.
   The boxer managed to knock down his opponent in the first round.

3. Tumbar la pared te permitirá tener más espacio en la habitación.
   Knocking down the wall will give you more space in the room.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Tumbar" is involved in several idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Here are a few noteworthy ones:

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Tumbar mitos
   To knock down myths

2. Es importante tumbar mitos científicos para entender mejor el mundo.
   It is important to knock down scientific myths to better understand the world.

3. Tumbar las barreras
   To knock down barriers

4. La educación es clave para tumbar las barreras entre culturas.
   Education is key to knocking down barriers between cultures.

5. Tumbar la vida de alguien
   To bring down someone's life (figuratively)

6. La crisis económica tumba la vida de muchas personas.
   The economic crisis brings down the lives of many people.

7. Tumbar las bases
   To undermine the foundations

8. Las malas decisiones pueden tumbar las bases de un buen proyecto.
   Poor decisions can undermine the foundations of a good project.

Etymology

The word "tumbar" is derived from the Latin term "tumbaris," which means to fall or to topple. The evolution of its meaning relates closely to the physical act of causing something to fall down.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Volcar (to overturn) - Derribar (to knock down) - Caer (to fall)

Antonyms: - Levantar (to lift up) - Sostener (to support) - Erigir (to erect)

This information should give you a comprehensive understanding of the word "tumbar" in various contexts and usages within the Spanish language.