Inklingo

How to Say "to fall" in Spanish

English → Spanish

caer

/kah-EHR//kaˈeɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'caer' when referring to a physical descent, such as falling down stairs, tripping, or an object dropping.
A small, round blue cartoon character is tumbling rapidly downwards through the air against a simple background, illustrating physical descent.

Examples

Ten cuidado, no vayas a caer por las escaleras.

Be careful, don't go and fall down the stairs.

El libro se me cayó de la mesa.

The book fell off the table (on me).

Siempre caigo enfermo en invierno.

I always fall ill in winter.

The 'G' in 'Yo'

In the present tense, the 'yo' form is irregular: 'caigo'. This is a common pattern for verbs ending in -aer, -eer, or -oír, like 'traer' (to bring).

Preterite Spelling Change

Mistake: “The third person singular/plural often incorrectly uses an 'i': *el caío*”

Correction: The correct forms are 'él cayó' and 'ellos cayeron'. The 'i' changes to a 'y' when unstressed between vowels.

quedarse

/keh-DAHR-seh//keˈðaɾse/

verbB1general
Use 'quedarse' specifically with 'dormido' (as 'quedarse dormido') to mean falling asleep suddenly, often unintentionally.
A pristine, folded white shirt lying flat, with a single drop of bright red liquid hitting the center and forming a spreading red stain, illustrating a sudden transition to a new state.

Examples

Se quedó dormida viendo la película.

She fell asleep watching the movie.

Me quedé totalmente asombrado por la noticia.

I became/was left totally astonished by the news.

Con esa actitud, te vas a quedar solo.

With that attitude, you are going to end up alone.

Like 'Ser' or 'Estar'?

When 'quedarse' is used to describe a state, the adjective that follows must match the gender and number of the person (e.g., 'Ella se quedó sorprendida', 'Nos quedamos callados').

Confusing 'Quedarse' with 'Hacerse'

Mistake: “Me hice dormido. (Incorrect)”

Correction: Me quedé dormido. ('Quedarse' is perfect for sudden changes like falling asleep or going quiet, while 'hacerse' is better for deliberate, gradual changes like careers or politics.)

Confusing Physical Fall vs. Falling Asleep

The most common mistake is using 'caer' when you mean 'to fall asleep'. Remember that 'caer' is for physical descent, while 'quedarse dormido' is the specific phrase for falling asleep.

Related Translations

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