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cae

kah-eh/ˈka.e/

falls, drops

Also: tumbles
VerbA1irregular er
A ripe red apple detaching from a green tree branch and falling rapidly toward the ground.
infinitivecaer
gerundcayendo
past Participlecaído

📝 In Action

Si no tienes cuidado, el jarrón cae al suelo.

A1

If you are not careful, the vase falls to the floor.

Siempre que llueve, la temperatura cae.

A2

Whenever it rains, the temperature drops.

Ella tropieza y cae de rodillas.

B1

She trips and falls to her knees.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • descender (to descend)
  • desplomarse (to collapse)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • cae la noche – night falls
  • cae el sol – the sun sets

is liked (by), suits

Also: is appealing
VerbA2idiomatic usage erinformal
A friendly brown bear smiling and giving a clear thumbs up gesture to a small, happy blue bird perched on a log, signifying approval.

📝 In Action

Tu amigo me cae muy bien. Es muy gracioso.

A2

I really like your friend. He is very funny. (Literally: Your friend falls well to me.)

La idea no le cae a la jefa.

B1

The boss doesn't like the idea (or: the idea doesn't sit well with the boss).

Ese color no te cae nada bien.

B2

That color doesn't suit you at all.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cae bien – is liked / is agreeable
  • cae mal – is disliked / is disagreeable

Idioms & Expressions

  • caer como anillo al dedo – to fit perfectly; to be exactly what is needed

happens, lands

VerbB1regular use er
Mexico
A brightly colored, wrapped present, tied with a yellow bow, sitting on a table while a pair of hands begins to tear the wrapping paper, symbolizing an event starting.

📝 In Action

Este año, el Día de Reyes cae en domingo.

B1

This year, Three Kings Day falls (or happens) on a Sunday.

El golpe cae justo en el centro de la mesa.

B2

The blow lands right in the center of the table.

¿Cuándo cae tu cumpleaños?

B1

When does your birthday fall?

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedcae
yocaigo
túcaes
ellos/ellas/ustedescaen
nosotroscaemos
vosotroscaéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcaía
yocaía
túcaías
ellos/ellas/ustedescaían
nosotroscaíamos
vosotroscaíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedcayó
yocaí
túcaíste
ellos/ellas/ustedescayeron
nosotroscaímos
vosotroscaísteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedcaiga
yocaiga
túcaigas
ellos/ellas/ustedescaigan
nosotroscaigamos
vosotroscaigáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcayera
yocayera
túcayeras
ellos/ellas/ustedescayeran
nosotroscayéramos
vosotroscayerais
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cae

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'cae' to express a personal opinion about someone?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
caída(fall, drop (noun)) — Noun
caerse(to fall down (reflexive)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
traecontrae
📚 Etymology▼

The verb 'caer' comes directly from the Latin verb *cadere*, meaning 'to fall, sink, or drop.' It has kept its core meaning over centuries.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around the 10th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: cadereFrench: choir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'yo' form 'caigo' and not 'caeo'?

This is an ancient irregularity in Spanish. The 'g' was added (making it a 'go' verb) to maintain a stronger sound and distinguish it from other verbs. You just need to memorize that 'I fall' is 'yo caigo'!

What is the difference between 'cae' and 'se cae'?

'Cae' (third person singular) means something falls or drops (like a leaf or the rain). 'Se cae' (from the reflexive verb 'caerse') usually means someone falls down, emphasizing the action happening to the subject (like 'He falls down' = 'Él se cae').