derribar

Derribar is a Spanish verb that means to bring down, knock over, or topple something, usually by applying force or removing support. It is used for physical objects such as a wall, a tree, or a statue. It can also have figurative senses, such as overthrowing or defeating someone or something, for example derribar a un rival or derribar un gobierno. In military or aviation contexts, derribar also means to shoot down an aircraft.

Conjugation and usage: derribar is a transitive verb that requires a direct object. Common forms include: presente: yo derribo, tú derribas, él derriba; pretérito: yo derribé, tú derribaste, él derribó; imperfecto: derribaba, derribabas, derribaba; gerundio: derribando; participio: derribado. The verb appears in both physical actions (derribar una pared) and figurative ones (derribar una oposición, un plan).

Related nouns and terms: el derribo refers to the act of bringing something down, such as the demolition of a structure. the person or machine that performs the action can be called derribador (masculine) or derribadora (feminine). In some contexts, especially when emphasizing collapse, the verb derumbar or derrumbar is used in place of derribar, though usage varies by dialect.

Notes on usage: Derribar commonly appears in contexts of demolition, construction, sports, and politics. When describing the complete collapse of a structure, many speakers prefer derrumbar, while derribar stresses the act of causing the fall itself. Translation into English depends on sense and context and can be “to bring down,” “to knock over,” “to overthrow,” or “to shoot down.”