What does caer in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word caer in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use caer in Spanish.

The word caer in Spanish means fall down, fall off, hang down, drop down, fall, drop, fall, collapse, be utterly, be absolutely, go down, fall, fall, die of, be, fall, fall, die, perish, realize, fall to bits, fall to pieces, go to pieces, fall to pieces, fall to pieces, be welcome, get on well, like, pour, drop like flies, not be able to stand, not go down well, not sit well, drop like a bombshell, come as a bombshell, land on your butt, fall on your arse, fall off your seat, fall over backwards, be unable to keep your eyes open, fall from the sky, be born yesterday, be wet behind the ears, system be down, sun set, sun go down, fall by the wayside, go up in smoke, fall with arms wide open, be floored, fall out of favor, be well liked, be funny, like, go down well with, realize, get into drugs, fall into enemy hands, fall into the wrong hands, get into the wrong hands, plummet, plunge, realize that, get sick, make a terrible impression on, be disagreeable, be obnoxious, play innocent, lose the Internet connection, drool, at nightfall, rub the wrong way, be disliked by, get sick, drop dead, drop down dead, sink very low, take by surprise, not stand up to scrutiny, faint, fall for, fall exhausted, fall head over heels for, fall for, give in to, jump at, the whole cavalry come after, lightning strike, pick yourself up off the floor, drop by, drop in, be around the corner, try to make a good impression, be going to fall, go by, swing by, end up, not have a penny to your name, fall for it, take the bait, you're really going to get it, fall again, backslide, fall back into the same thing. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word caer

fall down

verbo intransitivo (derrumbarse)

El árbol cayó sobre la casa.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The shed fell down in that big storm last month.

fall off

verbo intransitivo (desprenderse)

El cuadro cayó de la pared.

The picture fell off the wall.

hang down, drop down

verbo intransitivo (colgar, pender)

El flequillo le cae sobre la frente.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. When the boy's hair started hanging down over his eyes, his mother insisted on getting it cut.

fall

verbo intransitivo (fecha: corresponder) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Este año nuestro aniversario cae viernes. ¿Cuándo cae tu cumpleaños?

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. My birthday falls on a Sunday this year.

drop

verbo intransitivo (disminuir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Al atardecer cayó el viento y salimos a dar un paseo.

At dusk the wind dropped so we went out for a walk.

fall, collapse

verbo intransitivo (desaparecer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

El Imperio Romano no cayó, sino que cambió.

The Roman Empire didn't fall, it changed.

be utterly, be absolutely

verbo pronominal (llegar al grado máximo)

Armando se caía de guapo, todas sus amigas estaban locas por él.

Armando used to be utterly hunky and his female friends were crazy about him.

go down

verbo pronominal (Informática: dejar de funcionar) (informal)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

No pude inscribirme hoy en la universidad porque se cayó el sistema.

I couldn't register at the university today, because the computer system went down.

fall

verbo pronominal (derrumbarse)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

El corredor se tropezó y se cayó.

The runner tripped and fell.

fall

verbo pronominal (desprenderse)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Llegó el otoño y se cayeron las hojas de los árboles.

Autumn came and the leaves fell from the trees.

die of

(coloquial, figurado (tener necesidad intensa)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El pequeño se caía del sueño así que lo dejamos dormido en el sofá. Estoy cayéndome del hambre; vamos a comer ya, por favor.

I'm dying of hunger; let's go and eat, please.

be

verbo intransitivo (estar situado) (location)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

La cocina cae a la izquierda.

The kitchen's on the left.

fall

verbo intransitivo (hacerse de noche) (night)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Subimos de la playa al caer la tarde.

We came up from the beach as night was falling.

fall, die, perish

verbo intransitivo (morir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

En la batalla cayeron más de 500 hombres.

More than 500 men died (or: perished) in the battle.

realize

(entender, comprender) (US)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

El abuelo por fin cayó en lo que yo quería decir.

The old man finally realized what I meant.

fall to bits, fall to pieces, go to pieces

locución verbal (coloquial (estar muy deteriorado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall to pieces

locución verbal (figurado (algo: en mal estado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La catedral se está cayendo a pedazos.

The cathedral is falling to pieces.

fall to pieces

locución verbal (estar en ruinas)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Esta casa se está cayendo a trozos.

This house is falling to pieces.

be welcome

(ser beneficioso)

En tiempos de crisis, cualquier ayuda cae bien.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Spicy food does not agree with me, so I think I'll eat something else.

get on well

(conectar, entenderse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Luisa y Carlos se cayeron bien desde el momento en que se conocieron.

Luisa and Carlos hit it off since the moment they met.

like

locución verbal (gustar) (subject/object inversion)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

A Tomás le cae bien su cuñado. Laura les cae bien a todos los amigos de su novio.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Adrian is liked by all his colleagues at work.

pour

locución verbal (ES, coloquial (llover mucho) (rain heavily)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

De repente empezaron a caer chuzos de punta y nos tuvimos que refugiar durante tres horas.

Suddenly it started to pour and we had to take shelter for three hours.

drop like flies

locución verbal (coloquial (haber muchas muertes) (die, figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Los indios cayeron como chinches en el salvaje oeste.

not be able to stand

(coloquial (persona: caer mal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La hija del jefe nos cae como patada a todos en la oficina.

Nobody in the office can stand the boss' daughter.

not go down well, not sit well

(coloquial (sentar mal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La lasaña me cayó como patada.

drop like a bombshell, come as a bombshell

locución verbal (coloquial (enfadar) (shock and surprise together)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La noticia cayó como una bomba en la familia.

The news came as a bombshell for the family.

land on your butt

locución verbal (caer sentado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall on your arse

(coloquial (caer sentado) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall off your seat

locución verbal (figurado, coloquial (sentir gran impresión)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pablo se cayó de culo cuando su mujer le dijo que quería el divorcio.

fall over backwards

locución verbal (sorprenderse) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Le dije a mi exnovia que me casaba y se cayó de espaldas.

I told my ex I was getting married and she fell over backwards.

be unable to keep your eyes open

locución verbal (no poder aguantar despierto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall from the sky

locución verbal (ser muy oportuno)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

A ver si me cae del cielo una lotería, que las cosas están fatal.

Let's see if a lottery falls from the sky for me, with how terrible things are.

be born yesterday

locución verbal (darse cuenta)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Claro que sé que nos mienten, ¿crees que me he caído del guindo ahora?

Of course I know they're lying. Do you think I just fell off the turnip truck?

be wet behind the ears

locución verbal (ser ingenuo) (be ingenuous)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

system be down

locución verbal (dejar de funcionar la red) (IT)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. The system is down and I might as well go home.

sun set, sun go down

locución verbal (atardecer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Nos fuimos de la playa cuando cayó el sol.

We left the beach when the sun went down (or: set).

fall by the wayside, go up in smoke

locución verbal (quedar en nada)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall with arms wide open

(tirarse con brazos abiertos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La mujer cayó en cruz, boca abajo, frente al policía.

be floored

locución verbal (CR (impresionarse, asustarse) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cayó en cruz de la sorpresa cuando se enteró de la noticia.

fall out of favor

locución verbal (perder el favor de alguien) (US)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La profesora cayó en desgracia ante la comunidad científica y nunca fue nominada a un premio.

The professor fell out of favor with the scientific community and was never nominated for an award.

be well liked

locución verbal (agradar, simpatizar)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Como dicen, más vale caer en gracia que ser gracioso.

be funny

locución verbal (resultar divertido)

Esos chistes solo caen en gracia en las personas de tu edad.

like

(simpatizar a alguien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tomás me cayó en gracia desde que lo conocí.

go down well with

(parecerle divertido)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Esa broma pesada no le cayó en gracia al maestro, que estalló en cólera.

realize

locución verbal (percatarse de algo) (US)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ahora caigo en la cuenta de que me estabas mintiendo.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Jorge noticed the upgrades the developers made to the game.

get into drugs

(contraer una adicción) (become adicted)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Cuando murió su madre cayó en las drogas de tanta pena.

fall into enemy hands

locución verbal (en poder del enemigo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Los documentos cayeron en malas manos y la empresa está preocupada.

The documents fell into enemy hands and the company was worried.

fall into the wrong hands, get into the wrong hands

locución verbal (figurado (ir a dar con rivales)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

No quiero que esas cartas caigan en malas manos, cuídalas.

I don't want these letters to fall into the wrong hands, so look after them.

plummet, plunge

locución verbal (caer a velocidad)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

El avión cayó en picada y no hubo sobrevivientes.

The plane plummeted sharply and there were no survivors.

realize that

locución verbal (coloquial (darse cuenta) (US)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mariana cayó en que era martes y tuvo que apurarse para llegar a clases.

Mariana realized that it was Tuesday and had to hurry to get to her class on time.

get sick

locución verbal (enfermar) (US)

También es mala suerte caer enfermo durante las vacaciones.

It is also bad luck to fall ill on vacation.

make a terrible impression on

expresión (coloquial (ser detestado)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El novio les cayó fatal a sus amigas.

be disagreeable, be obnoxious

locución verbal (coloquial (resultar desagradable)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El niño del vecino me cae gordo, no quiero que venga a casa.

The neighbor's boy is disagreeable, I don't want him coming to my house.

play innocent

locución verbal (AmL (hablar fingiendo candor)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Intentó caer inocente diciendo que no sabía nada del engaño.

lose the Internet connection

locución verbal (dejar de funcionar internet)

drool

locución verbal (ponerse tonto) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

A Juan se le cae la baba con su nietecito.

John simply drools over his little grandson.

at nightfall

locución verbal (literario (anochecer)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Se reunieron al caer la noche para no ser vistos.

They met at nightfall so as not to be seen.

rub the wrong way

locución verbal (coloquial (ser antipático) (slang: person)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El niño del vecino me cae mal, no quiero que venga a casa.

The neighbor's boy rubs me the wrong way, I don't want him coming to my house.

be disliked by

(detestar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

get sick

locución verbal (coloquial (enfermar) (US)

También es mala suerte caer malo durante las vacaciones.

drop dead

locución verbal (coloquial (dormirse exhausto) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Martín cayó muerto después de su clase de boxeo.

Martin dropped dead after his boxing class.

drop down dead

locución verbal (coloquial (enfático: gran emoción) (figurative, colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Me caí muerto cuando recibí la noticia de que había ganado.

I dropped down dead when I found out I had won.

sink very low

locución verbal (persona: rebajarse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Brenda cayó muy bajo al suplicar que le devolvieran su trabajo.

Brenda sank very low by begging for her job back.

take by surprise

locución verbal (sorprender)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La noticia nos cayó por sorpresa.

The news took us by surprise.

not stand up to scrutiny

locución verbal (hablar por sí mismo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Los argumentos caen por su propio peso y es evidente que el acusado es culpable.

The arguments don't stand up to scrutiny and it's obvious that the accused is guilty.

faint

locución verbal (coloquial (desmayarse)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Cada vez que ve sangre se cae redondo al suelo.

Each time he sees blood, he faints and falls.

fall for

locución verbal (coloquial (ser incauto)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Pedro cayó redondo en el de los estafadores y les dió todo el dinero que llevaba.

Pedro fell for the scam and handed over all the money he had on him.

fall exhausted

locución verbal (coloquial (echarse a descansar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Camila cayó rendida después de tanto bailar.

Camila fell exhausted after so much dancing.

fall head over heels for

expresión (figurado (enamorarse) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mauro cayó rendido a los pies de su Laura desde que la vio por primera vez.

Mauro fell head over heels for Laura after he first saw her.

fall for, give in to, jump at

locución verbal (figurado (ser conquistado por) (thing)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

the whole cavalry come after

locución verbal (figurado (ser objeto de ataques enconados) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

La última vez que hicimos una propuesta de reforma, nos cayó toda la caballería encima, desde la prensa y desde el congreso.

lightning strike

(precipitarse a tierra)

Cayó un rayo en la playa y electrocutó a alguien.

Lightning struck the beach and electrocuted someone.

pick yourself up off the floor

expresión (recuperarse de fracasos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

drop by, drop in

locución verbal (coloquial (dejarse ver en un lugar)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Déjate caer cuando quieras, te estaremos esperando.

Drop by when you want, we will be expecting you.

be around the corner

locución verbal (estar a punto de llegar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Hay que recoger todo que tus padres están al caer.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Sonia should be there any minute, sorry for the delay.

try to make a good impression

locución verbal (esforzarse por agradar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Juan siempre intenta caer bien en las reuniones.

Juan always tries to make a good impression in meetings.

be going to fall

locución verbal (una fecha)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La reunión fue a caer justo el día de mi cumpleaños.

ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. My birthday is going to fall on a Monday this year.

go by, swing by

locución verbal (llegar de improviso)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])

Voy a caer a lo de mi madre después de almorzar.

I'm going to go (or: swing) by my mum's after lunch.

end up

locución verbal (a dar, a parar)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

La pelota fue a caer al jardín del vecino.

The ball ended up in the neighbour's garden.

not have a penny to your name

locución verbal (coloquial (ser pobre en extremo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Mi padre desprecia a mi novio porque no tiene donde caerse muerto.

My dad hates my boyfriend because he hasn't got a penny to his name.

fall for it, take the bait

locución verbal (coloquial (caer en la trampa)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

El estafador los tentó con una gran suma y picaron el anzuelo.

you're really going to get it

expresión (coloquial (te la vas a cargar) (be in trouble)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

He told you not to go into his room, and when he finds out, you're really going to get it.

fall again

locución verbal (recaer, reincidir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Tras superar una adicción, es muy importante no volver a caer. Mi marido volvió a caer en el juego.

backslide

locución verbal (volver a un estado)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Si abandonas tu tratamiento, corres el riesgo de volver a caer.

fall back into the same thing

locución verbal (recaer en un mal hábito)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

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