摔倒 (shuāi dǎo) is a compound verb meaning 'to trip and fall' or 'to fall down suddenly, usually unintentionally and with some force.' The first character 摔 (shuāi) means 'to throw,' 'to toss,' or 'to drop forcefully,' while 倒 (dǎo) means 'to fall over' or 'to topple.' Together, they emphasize an uncontrolled, often accidental collapse — typically due to slipping, tripping, losing balance, or hitting an obstacle. It implies physical contact with the ground and often carries connotations of suddenness, loss of control, and potential injury.

This verb is commonly used in everyday contexts involving accidents — on icy sidewalks, wet floors, uneven terrain, or during sports. It's neutral in register (neither formal nor slangy) and appears frequently in news reports, health advisories, and personal narratives. Unlike more general terms like 跌倒 (diē dǎo), 摔倒 suggests a more abrupt, dynamic motion — often with a sense of impact or momentum. It’s transitive in some constructions (e.g., 摔倒了他 — 'knocked him down'), but most commonly used intransitively with 自己 (zìjǐ) or as a standalone action.