หกล้ม

Explanation

หกล้ม is an everyday verb describing an accidental physical fall, usually while walking or standing. ล้ม by itself has a wider range: it can describe a person or object falling, a structure collapsing, or even a plan or business failing. หกล้ม is more specifically associated with a person falling over. In medical, caregiving, and safety contexts, การหกล้ม is commonly used as the noun “a fall” or “falling.”

Usage

It is commonly used when someone falls on a slippery floor, stairs, or uneven ground, as well as in warnings about fall risks. It also appears in descriptions of injuries caused by a fall.

Caution

For falling from a height, ตก is usually the appropriate verb. หกล้ม generally describes losing one’s balance and falling over on the same surface. Also, the หก in this fixed expression should not be interpreted separately as “spill.”

1 fall over synonyms

• ล้ม

  lóm fall down

  ล้ม has the broader meaning “fall, collapse, or fail” and can be used for people, objects, and even plans or businesses. หกล้ม more specifically refers to a person physically falling over.

• สะดุดล้ม

  สะดุดล้ม specifically means to trip over something and fall. หกล้ม is more general and can describe a fall caused by tripping, slipping, or simply losing one’s balance.