caen
“caen” means “they fall” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
they fall, you (plural) fall
Also: they drop, they tumble
📝 In Action
Cuando llueve mucho, las frutas maduras caen al suelo.
A1When it rains a lot, the ripe fruits fall to the ground.
¿Por qué ustedes siempre caen en los mismos errores?
A2Why do you (all) always fall into the same mistakes?
they collapse, they decline
Also: they are located, they sink (into ruin)
📝 In Action
Después de la crisis, los precios de las acciones caen rápidamente.
B1After the crisis, the stock prices collapse rapidly.
Cuando caen las lluvias fuertes, el río se desborda.
B1When the heavy rains fall, the river overflows.
they make a good/bad impression, I like/dislike them
📝 In Action
Los nuevos profesores me caen muy bien, son muy amables.
A2I really like the new teachers (They make a good impression on me); they are very kind.
A mis padres no les caen bien tus amigos.
B1My parents don't like your friends (Your friends make a bad impression on my parents).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "caen" in Spanish:
they collapse→they decline→they drop→they fall→they tumble→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: caen
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'caen' in the idiomatic sense of making an impression?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin verb *cadere*, meaning 'to fall.' This root is found in many English words like 'cadence' and 'case' (what happens/falls).
First recorded: Old Spanish, before the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
If 'caen' means 'they fall,' how do I say 'they drop something'?
To express actively dropping an object, you use the verb 'dejar caer' (to let fall). For example, 'Ellos dejan caer los libros' (They drop the books). 'Caen' means they fall accidentally or naturally.
Is 'caen' used for rain or snow?
Yes. When talking about precipitation, the verb 'caer' is commonly used: 'Cae la nieve' (The snow is falling). If you use 'caen,' you are emphasizing the plural nature of the precipitation, like 'Gotas caen' (Drops fall).