caso
/KA-so/
case
This depicts a specific instance or situation ('caso') being singled out from the surrounding environment.
caso(Noun)
📝 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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'caso' for 'thing'
Mistake: "Voy a comprar un caso para la cocina."
Correction: Voy a comprar una cosa para la cocina. 'Caso' refers to a situation or instance, not a physical object. For 'thing', use 'cosa'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To 'Just in Case' Phrase
The phrase 'por si acaso' is incredibly useful and common. You can stick it on the end of a sentence to mean 'just in case'. For example: 'Lleva un paraguas, por si acaso.' (Bring an umbrella, just in case.)
Visualizing the concept of paying attention or listening closely, as in the phrase 'hacer caso'.
caso(Noun)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
A Word That Needs a Partner
To mean 'attention' or 'notice', 'caso' almost always appears with the verb 'hacer'. Think of 'hacer caso' as a single idea meaning 'to pay attention' or 'to listen to'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'a'
Mistake: "No me hizo caso mi consejo."
Correction: No me hizo caso a mi consejo. When you pay attention *to* something or someone, you need the little word 'a' after 'hacer caso'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing 'Ignoring'
The opposite of 'hacer caso' is simply 'no hacer caso'. It's a very natural way to say you're ignoring someone or something. 'Le dije que no lo hiciera, pero no me hizo caso.' (I told him not to do it, but he ignored me.)
Illustrating a formal investigation or specific matter, such as a police or clinical case ('caso').
caso(Noun)
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning of 'caso' is very close to the English 'case'. You'll know it's being used this way when the conversation is about police, doctors, lawyers, or official investigations.
Representing a noun changing its form according to its grammatical function or '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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Not for Everyday Conversation
You will likely only see this meaning if you are studying linguistics or very old languages. Spanish doesn't change nouns for 'case' like Latin or German, so it's not a concept you need for speaking Spanish.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: caso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'caso' to mean 'pay attention'?
📚 More Resources
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).