The frequently used verb, caer, translates to ''to fall'' and ''to drop'' in English. While you do not want to fall when learning Spanish, understanding and knowing how to conjugate this verb properly will help you make sure you do not trip over the rules later.
First, you need to know that caer is a stem-changing verb, so you will be presented with some irregular patterns in the present, imperfect, and preterite tense. In terms of usage it is a fairly straightforward word. However, it can also be used when talking about the weather, liking or getting along with other people, and when referring to specific dates.
| Yo | caigo | Nosotros | caemos |
| Tú | caes | Vosotros | caéis |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | cae | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | caen |
Examples:
| Yo | caía | Nosotros | caíamos |
| Tú | caías | Vosotros | caíais |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | caía | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | caían |
Examples:
| Yo | caí | Nosotros | caímos |
| Tú | caiste | Vosotros | caísteis |
| Él/Ella/Ud. | cayó | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | cayeron |
Examples:
Notice the vowel change in some of these pronouns when caer is conjugated in the present, imperfect, and preterite tense.
| Yo | caeré | Nosotros | caeremos |
| Tú | caerás | Vosotros | caeréis |
| Él/Ella/Ud | caerá | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | caerán |
Examples:
| Yo | caería | Nosotros | caeríamos |
| Tú | caerías | Vosotros | caeríais |
| Él/Ella/Ud | caería | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | caerían |
Examples:
As shown above, caer is often used to talk about situations related to the act of falling down. However, there are some phrases that use this verb with very different meanings. Here are some idiomatic expressions with caer. Using them will help you sound like a native speaker.
Whether you are talking about dropping, falling down, liking someone or just pointing out the exact day on which your birthday falls, caer is a useful word to have under your belt. Just remember that, when conjugated, there is a vowel change in the present, imperfect, and preterite tenses.
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