caigo
/KAI-go/
I fall
A person losing their balance and falling towards the ground.
caigo(verb)
I fall
?physical movement toward the ground
I am falling
?action happening right now
📝 In Action
Siempre caigo cuando el suelo está mojado.
A1I always fall when the floor is wet.
Si no tengo cuidado, me caigo de la silla.
A1If I'm not careful, I'll fall off the chair.
💡 Grammar Points
The Surprise 'G'
Even though the main word is 'caer,' the 'I' form adds a 'g' to become 'caigo' to make it easier to pronounce. This only happens in the 'yo' form!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't forget the 'Me'
Mistake: "Saying 'caigo' for an accidental fall."
Correction: Use 'me caigo.' Adding 'me' shows that the fall was an accident that happened to you.
⭐ Usage Tips
Feeling Sleepy?
Use 'me caigo de sueño' when you are so tired you can barely keep your eyes open.
Two people making a good impression and getting along well.
caigo(verb)
I make an impression
?social situations with 'bien' or 'mal'
They like me
?describing how others perceive you
📝 In Action
Le caigo bien a mi suegra.
A2My mother-in-law likes me (literally: I fall well to her).
No sé por qué le caigo mal a ese chico.
A2I don't know why that guy doesn't like me.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Backwards' Like
In Spanish, to say 'She likes me,' you actually say 'I fall well to her' (Le caigo bien). It describes the vibe you give off.
⭐ Usage Tips
Social Success
If you want to know if someone likes your company, ask '¿Te caigo bien?'
A person suddenly understanding a situation or having an 'aha' moment.
caigo(verb)
I realize
?suddenly understanding a fact or situation
It clicks
?when a piece of information finally makes sense
📝 In Action
Ahora caigo, ¡tú eres el hermano de Juan!
B1Now I realize, you're Juan's brother!
No caigo en quién es ella.
B1I can't place who she is / I don't recognize her.
💡 Grammar Points
Understanding as a Fall
Spanish speakers use the idea of 'falling into' a thought to mean they finally understand it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Aha! Moments
When you finally get a joke or a complex explanation, simply shout '¡Ya caigo!' (Now I get it!)
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: caigo
Question 1 of 2
How would you say 'I think your parents like me'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a 'g' in caigo but not in caer?
Spanish has a small group of verbs (like 'traer' and 'caer') that add a 'g' in the 'yo' form to keep the vowel sounds distinct and easy to say. It's just a special quirk of the present tense!
Is 'caigo' the same as 'me caigo'?
Not exactly. We use 'me caigo' (reflexive) for the physical act of falling down by accident. We use 'caigo' without the 'me' more often in figurative senses, like 'caigo bien' (I'm liked) or 'caigo en la cuenta' (I realize).