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derribar

to knock down

verb deh-rree-BAHR Rare

Also means

to demolish

Usage Note

Derribar means to bring something down by force — a building, a door, a government, or even an aircraft. Derribar un avión ('to shoot down a plane') and derribar un edificio ('to demolish a building') are both common. Metaphorically it can mean to overthrow (derribar al gobierno). It is a regular -ar verb and should not be confused with derramar ('to spill').

Examples

"Derribaron el muro viejo para construir uno nuevo."

Natural Translation

They knocked down the old wall to build a new one.

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