caída

/kah-EE-dah/

fall

A simple drawing of a cartoonish character, perhaps a small bear or child, tumbling head over heels after tripping on a small stone, illustrating the physical act of falling.

The most literal meaning of 'caída' is a physical 'fall'.

caída(noun)

fA2

fall

physical act of falling

tumble

a sudden drop

Also:

spill

a minor accident

📝 In Action

Después de la caída, revisamos si se había roto algo.

After the fall, we checked if anything was broken.

La caída desde el caballo fue peligrosa, pero está bien.

The drop from the horse was dangerous, but he is fine.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tropiezo (stumble)
desplome (collapse)

Antonyms

subida (rise)

Common Collocations

sufrir una caída – to suffer a fall
amortiguar la caída – to cushion the fall

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'caída' ends in '-a' and is a feminine noun, always use 'la' or 'una' before it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'Tener' or 'Sufrir'

To say someone experienced a fall, use verbs like 'tener' (to have) or 'sufrir' (to suffer): 'Tuvo una caída en la calle.'

A visual metaphor for decline, showing a large, colorful pile of apples that has significantly shrunk, with many apples spoiled or scattered, representing a reduction in quantity.

'Caída' can also mean a 'decline' in value or quantity.

caída(noun)

fB1

decline

in value or quantity

drop

in temperature or pressure

Also:

plunge

a sudden, dramatic fall

downfall

of a regime or person

📝 In Action

La caída de la bolsa fue una sorpresa para todos los inversores.

The drop in the stock market was a surprise for all investors.

El Imperio Romano tuvo una lenta pero inevitable caída.

The Roman Empire had a slow but inevitable downfall.

Esperamos una caída de las temperaturas esta noche.

We expect a drop in temperatures tonight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

descenso (descent)
reducción (reduction)

Antonyms

aumento (increase)

Common Collocations

caída libre – freefall
caída de tensión – voltage drop

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'baja' for everything

Mistake: "Using 'una baja' to describe a sudden, dramatic drop in prices."

Correction: While 'baja' is a general term for 'lowering,' 'caída' implies a more sudden, significant event: 'La caída de precios fue histórica.'

A majestic, simple illustration of a large volume of water cascading down a steep, mossy cliff face into a clear pool, forming a waterfall.

In a geographical context, 'caída' can refer to a 'waterfall'.

caída(noun)

fB2

waterfall

a large cascade of water

Also:

cascade

a smaller, stepped waterfall

📝 In Action

Las cataratas del Iguazú son la caída de agua más famosa de la región.

The Iguazu Falls are the most famous waterfall in the region.

El río forma una pequeña caída antes de llegar al mar.

The river forms a small cascade before reaching the sea.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cascada (waterfall)
catarata (waterfall (large))

Common Collocations

caída de agua – waterfall

💡 Grammar Points

Synonyms for Waterfalls

While 'caída' can mean waterfall, it often requires 'de agua' (caída de agua). The words 'cascada' and 'catarata' are more common and specific.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: caída

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'caída' in its figurative sense of 'decline'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

caer(to fall (verb)) - verb

caído(fallen (adjective/participle)) - adjective

decaer(to decline/to fade (verb)) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'caída' the same as 'caer'?

No, they are related! 'Caer' is the action verb ('to fall'), while 'caída' is the feminine noun, referring to the event or result of falling ('the fall').

How do I pronounce the accent mark in 'caída'?

The accent on the 'í' means you must pronounce the 'a' and 'í' separately and emphasize the 'í': 'kah-EE-dah'. If it didn't have the accent, the stress would fall on the 'a' and the sounds might blend.