caso
“caso” means “case” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
case
Also: situation, instance
📝 In Action
En ese caso, es mejor no decir nada.
A2In that case, it's better not to say anything.
Este es un caso muy común en estudiantes de español.
B1This is a very common case among Spanish students.
Te doy mi número, por si acaso.
B1I'll give you my number, just in case.
attention
Also: notice, heed
📝 In Action
Por favor, hazme caso cuando te hablo.
B1Please, pay attention to me when I talk to you.
El niño nunca hace caso a su madre.
B1The child never listens to (pays attention to) his mother.
No hagas caso del ruido, es solo el viento.
B2Don't pay any mind to the noise, it's just the wind.
case
Also: affair
📝 In Action
La policía resolvió el caso en dos días.
B1The police solved the case in two days.
Es un caso clínico muy interesante para los doctores.
B2It's a very interesting clinical case for the doctors.
El abogado presentó el caso ante el juez.
B2The lawyer presented the case before the judge.
case
📝 In Action
En latín, los sustantivos cambian de forma según el caso gramatical.
C1In Latin, nouns change their form according to the grammatical case.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "caso" in Spanish:
affair→attention→case→heed→instance→married→notice→situation→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: caso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'caso' to mean 'pay attention'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'casus', which meant 'a fall', 'chance', or 'event'. It's related to the Latin verb 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. The idea is that a 'case' is something that 'falls' or 'happens' to you—a specific event or situation that occurs.
First recorded: Around the 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'caso' and 'cosa'?
They can both be translated as 'case' or 'thing' in English, which is confusing! Use 'caso' for abstract situations, instances, or events ('in that case...'). Use 'cosa' for physical objects or general 'things' ('What is that thing?'). You can't touch a 'caso', but you can touch a 'cosa'.
How is 'por si acaso' different from 'en caso de'?
'Por si acaso' means 'just in case' and is a general precaution. You can say it all by itself. 'En caso de' means 'in case of' and needs to be followed by a specific situation, usually something serious or for instructions, like 'En caso de emergencia, rompa el cristal' (In case of emergency, break the glass).