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A1 verb #1,000 सबसे आम 11 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

tomber

शीर्ष 1,000

At the A1 level, 'tomber' is one of the first verbs you learn to describe physical actions. It primarily means 'to fall.' You will use it in simple present tense sentences like 'La pluie tombe' (The rain is falling) or 'Je tombe' (I fall). At this stage, the focus is on the literal, physical movement of objects or people moving from a high place to a lower place. You might also learn the very common expression 'tomber amoureux' (to fall in love), which is a great way to start using the verb in a non-literal way. The most important thing for an A1 learner is to recognize the word when they hear it and understand that it describes a downward motion or a sudden change. You should also be aware that it is a common verb in children's stories and daily life, often used when someone trips or drops something. Practice saying 'Je tombe' and 'Tu tombes' to get used to the pronunciation, especially the nasal 'om' sound which is central to the word. Even at this early stage, try to remember that it's a verb of motion, which will help you later when you learn the past tense. For now, keep it simple: focus on gravity and the most basic human emotions like love.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'tomber' in the past tense, which is where things get a bit more complex. You must learn that 'tomber' uses the auxiliary verb 'être' in the passé composé. This means instead of saying 'j'ai tombé,' you must say 'je suis tombé.' You also need to learn about agreement: if a woman is speaking, she says 'je suis tombée' (with an extra 'e'). This is a key grammatical milestone. You will also expand your vocabulary with common phrases like 'tomber malade' (to fall ill) and 'laisser tomber' (to let go/drop/forget it). You'll start to see 'tomber' in more contexts, such as weather reports or simple stories about people's days. You might also encounter 'tomber sur quelqu'un,' which means to run into someone by chance. This is a very useful social phrase. At A2, you should be comfortable using 'tomber' to describe your own experiences, like 'Hier, je suis tombé dans la rue' or 'Mon anniversaire tombe un samedi.' The goal is to move beyond just the present tense and start integrating 'tomber' into your narrative descriptions of the past, paying close attention to the 'être' auxiliary and the necessary gender/number agreements.

By the B1 level, you should be using 'tomber' with confidence in all major tenses, including the imparfait and the conditionnel. You will start to explore more idiomatic and figurative uses of the verb. For instance, you'll learn 'tomber dans le panneau' (to fall for a trick/trap) or 'tomber à l'eau' (to fall through/fail, used for plans). You'll also become more familiar with the causative construction 'faire tomber' (to drop something), which is essential for distinguishing between an accidental fall and an action you performed on an object. At B1, you are expected to understand the nuances of 'tomber' in different registers. You might hear 'ça tombe bien' in a professional setting to mean 'that's convenient.' You'll also start to see 'tomber' used in news articles to describe more abstract concepts, like 'le chômage est tombé' (unemployment has fallen). Your understanding of the verb should now include its role in describing trends and sudden shifts in social or economic data. You should also be able to use 'tomber' in complex sentences with relative pronouns, such as 'C'est l'endroit où je suis tombé.' The focus at B1 is on versatility and the ability to use 'tomber' to describe not just physical acts, but also the 'falling' of plans, prices, and social situations.

At the B2 level, you are expected to have a nuanced command of 'tomber' and its many idiomatic expressions. You will use it to express more complex ideas, such as 'tomber de haut' (to be bitterly disappointed or disillusioned) or 'tomber des nues' (to be completely taken by surprise). These idioms are common in literature and sophisticated conversation. You will also understand the subtle difference between 'tomber' and its synonyms like 'chuter' or 's'écrouler.' You should be able to choose the most appropriate verb for the context—using 'chuter' for a technical drop in stock prices and 'tomber' for a more general description. At this level, you will also encounter 'tomber' in the subjunctive mood, which is used after certain expressions of emotion or doubt, such as 'Il est possible qu'il tombe de la neige.' You should also be comfortable with the impersonal use of 'tomber' in weather expressions like 'Il tombe des hallebardes' (It's raining cats and dogs). Your writing should reflect a sophisticated use of 'tomber' to create imagery and convey precise meanings. You'll also understand the historical and political connotations, such as 'faire tomber un régime' (to topple a regime). B2 learners should feel like 'tomber' is a flexible tool they can use to add color and precision to their French.

At the C1 level, your use of 'tomber' should be near-native. You will understand the most obscure idioms and the historical evolution of the word. You might encounter 'tomber en déshérence' (to fall into disuse or be left without an heir) or 'tomber sous le sens' (to be obvious). You will be able to appreciate the rhythmic and poetic qualities of the verb in French literature, from the classical plays of Racine to the modern prose of Proust. At this level, you can use 'tomber' to discuss philosophy or abstract theory, such as 'tomber sous le coup de la loi' (to be subject to the law). You will also be aware of the very subtle register shifts; for example, knowing when 'laisser tomber' is too informal for a situation and choosing 'abandonner' or 'renoncer' instead. Your mastery of the passé composé with 'être' is now second nature, and you can effortlessly handle complex agreements in the plus-que-parfait or the conditionnel passé. You will also be able to analyze how 'tomber' is used in media to frame narratives, such as the 'falling' of a hero or the 'falling' of a city. C1 is about total integration of the verb into your linguistic repertoire, allowing you to use it with stylistic flair and absolute grammatical accuracy.

At the C2 level, you have reached a mastery where 'tomber' is no longer a 'vocabulary word' but a fundamental part of your linguistic DNA. You can use it in its most archaic or literary forms without hesitation. You might use 'choir' (the archaic version of tomber) for stylistic effect in a formal essay. You understand the deepest etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other Romance languages. You can play with the word in puns, jokes, and complex metaphors. You might use 'tomber' to describe the cadence of a sentence or the structure of a musical piece. Your understanding of the verb includes its most specialized uses in law, science, and the arts. You can navigate the most complex social situations where the choice of 'tomber' versus a synonym conveys a very specific social subtext. At C2, you are not just using the language; you are mastering its nuances to express your own unique voice. You can critique the use of 'tomber' in a text and suggest more evocative alternatives. The verb 'tomber' is now a brush in your hand, and you can use it to paint any picture you desire, from the simplest physical act to the most profound philosophical transition.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

tomber 30 सेकंड में

Tomber is the primary French verb for 'to fall,' used for physical drops, weather, and emotional changes like falling in love.
In the past tense (passé composé), it always uses the auxiliary verb 'être' and requires agreement with the subject.
Common idioms include 'tomber amoureux' (fall in love), 'tomber malade' (fall ill), and 'laisser tomber' (to drop or give up).
To say 'to drop something' (active), you must use the causative construction 'faire tomber' rather than 'tomber' alone.

The French verb tomber is a cornerstone of the French language, primarily translating to the English verb 'to fall.' At its most basic level, it describes the physical movement of an object or person descending rapidly and uncontrollably toward the ground due to the force of gravity. However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical accidents. In French culture and daily conversation, tomber is a versatile tool used to describe everything from changes in weather to sudden emotional shifts and even the timing of calendar events. Understanding this verb requires more than just knowing its literal definition; it involves grasping the nuances of how French speakers perceive movement, chance, and transition.

Physical Descent: The most common usage involves a person or object losing balance or support. Whether it is a glass falling from a table or a child tripping in the park, tomber captures that moment of impact. It is often used with the preposition par terre (on the ground) or de (from) to indicate the source of the fall.

Attention, tu vas tomber si tu ne fais pas attention à la marche.

Meteorological Phenomena: In French, weather doesn't just 'happen'; it often 'falls.' We use tomber to describe rain (la pluie tombe), snow (la neige tombe), or even the night (la nuit tombe). This conceptualization emphasizes the downward arrival of these natural states from the sky or the heavens.

Regarde, la neige commence à tomber sur les toits de Paris.

Abstract and Idiomatic Usage: The verb is a powerhouse for idiomatic expressions. One of the most famous is tomber amoureux (to fall in love). It is also used to describe falling ill (tomber malade) or encountering someone by chance (tomber sur quelqu'un). These uses suggest a lack of agency—the event happens to the subject unexpectedly, much like a physical trip or slip.

Je suis tombé sur mon ancien professeur au supermarché hier.

Furthermore, tomber is used for dates. If your birthday 'falls' on a Monday, you would say mon anniversaire tombe un lundi. This usage aligns perfectly with the English equivalent, making it one of the easier transitions for English speakers. In military or political contexts, it can mean to be defeated or to collapse, such as a city falling to an enemy or a government falling after a scandal. The breadth of tomber makes it an essential verb for reaching fluency, as it bridges the gap between the physical world and the abstract complexities of human experience.

Noël tombe un mercredi cette année.

C'est trop difficile, je laisse tomber.

Mastering the syntax of tomber involves understanding its relationship with prepositions and its role as an intransitive verb of motion. Because it is a verb of movement that implies a change of state or position, it belongs to the 'Vandertramp' group of verbs that require être in compound tenses. This is the first hurdle for many learners. You must remember to agree the past participle with the subject: Elle est tombée (She fell) vs Ils sont tombés (They fell).

Prepositional Patterns: The meaning of tomber shifts based on the preposition that follows. Tomber de indicates the origin (falling from a chair). Tomber dans indicates the destination (falling into a hole). Tomber sur can mean physically falling onto something, but more commonly it means to 'stumble upon' or 'run into' someone or something by accident.

Le livre est tombé de l'étagère.

State Changes: When tomber is followed directly by an adjective, it describes a transition into that state. The most common examples are tomber malade (to fall ill), tomber enceinte (to become pregnant), and tomber amoureux (to fall in love). In these cases, the verb acts as a linker between the subject and their new condition.

Elle est tombée malade juste avant ses vacances.

The 'Laisser Tomber' Construction: This is a semi-auxiliary construction where laisser (to let) combines with tomber. It is extremely common in spoken French to mean 'forget it' or 'never mind.' If someone is explaining something complex and you don't understand, they might say, 'Laisse tomber,' meaning 'don't worry about it.'

Si tu ne trouves pas la solution, laisse tomber, ce n'est pas grave.

In more advanced syntax, tomber can be used impersonally, though this is rarer. For example, il tombe des cordes is an idiomatic way to say 'it's raining cats and dogs' (literally 'it's falling ropes'). Understanding these patterns allows you to move from simple sentences like 'The apple falls' to complex expressions of emotion, chance, and colloquial dismissal. Always remember to check your subject-verb agreement in the past, as the 'être' requirement is the most frequent point of error for students of French at all levels.

Les feuilles sont tombées très tôt cet automne.

In the streets of Paris, in the bakeries of Lyon, or on the beaches of Marseille, tomber is everywhere. It is a high-frequency verb that appears in various registers of speech, from the most formal news broadcasts to the grittiest street slang. If you are listening to a weather report, you will hear it constantly. The meteorologist might say, Des précipitations vont tomber sur le nord du pays. This usage is formal and precise, indicating the arrival of rain or snow.

Daily Social Interactions: In casual conversation, tomber often appears when people discuss their schedules. You might hear someone say, Ça tombe bien ! which means 'That works out well!' or 'What a coincidence!' Conversely, Ça tombe mal means the timing is bad. This is perhaps the most common way the verb is used in a non-literal sense in social settings.

Tu as un moment ? Ça tombe bien, je voulais justement te parler.

Pop Culture and Music: French music is filled with tomber. From Edith Piaf to modern rappers, the concept of 'falling'—whether in love, into despair, or from grace—is a central theme. The phrase tomber le masque (to drop the mask/reveal one's true self) is a common poetic and journalistic trope used to describe someone finally showing their true colors.

Dans sa dernière interview, l'acteur a enfin fait tomber le masque.

News and Politics: When a government loses a vote of no confidence, journalists will say le gouvernement est tombé. Similarly, when a record is broken in sports, the old record est tombé. It signifies a definitive end to a previous state of being, often with a sense of drama or historical weight.

Le record du monde du 100 mètres est tombé hier soir.

If you visit a French school, you'll hear teachers telling children ne tombe pas ! as they run. In a professional office, you might hear on va laisser tomber ce projet (we're going to drop this project). The verb is so integrated into the fabric of life that you will likely hear it within your first hour of being in a French-speaking environment. It captures the essence of the unexpected, the inevitable, and the physical reality of the world around us.

La pression est tombée après l'examen.

Even though tomber seems straightforward, it is a minefield for English speakers due to auxiliary verb choices and the distinction between 'falling' and 'dropping.' The most frequent error is using avoir in the passé composé. Because 'to fall' is 'to have fallen' in English, learners instinctively say j'ai tombé. This is incorrect. In French, you must say je suis tombé. The verb describes a change of position, which in the French logic of grammar, requires the verb 'to be.'

Falling vs. Dropping: In English, 'to fall' is intransitive (I fall) and 'to drop' is transitive (I drop the glass). In French, tomber is almost exclusively intransitive. You cannot 'tomber' an object. If you say j'ai tombé le verre, it sounds like nonsense to a native speaker. You must use the causative construction faire tomber (to make fall). J'ai fait tomber le verre is the correct way to say 'I dropped the glass.'

Incorrect: J'ai tombé mon téléphone. Correct: J'ai fait tomber mon téléphone.

Agreement Errors: Since tomber uses être, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject. A woman must write je suis tombée (with an extra 'e'). A group of women must write elles sont tombées. Forgetting these agreements is a very common mistake in written French, even among intermediate learners.

Marie est tombée dans l'escalier ce matin.

Misusing 'Laisser Tomber': While laisser tomber means 'to drop' or 'to give up,' it shouldn't be used for dropping someone off at a location. For that, you use déposer. If you say je vais te laisser tomber à la gare, you are literally saying 'I am going to drop you (physically) at the station' or 'I am going to abandon you at the station.' Use déposer instead!

Je te dépose à la gare (I'm dropping you off), pas je te laisse tomber.

Finally, be careful with the expression tomber dans les pommes. It is a very common idiom meaning 'to faint.' Some learners try to translate 'to faint' literally or use 'tomber' alone. While 'tomber' can imply a fall from fainting, the specific idiom is much more natural in casual French. Avoid over-using the literal 's'évanouir' in casual settings when 'tomber dans les pommes' is available. By avoiding these common pitfalls—auxiliary choice, causative usage, agreement, and idiomatic precision—you will sound much more like a native speaker.

Il a fait si chaud qu'il est tombé dans les pommes.

While tomber is the most versatile verb for falling, French offers a rich palette of synonyms that provide more specific detail about the nature, speed, or consequence of the fall. Choosing the right word can elevate your French from basic to descriptive and precise.

Chuter: This is a more formal or technical synonym. It is often used in sports (a cyclist falling), economics (prices falling), or medicine. While tomber is everyday language, chuter suggests a significant or measurable drop. Unlike tomber, chuter often uses avoir as its auxiliary, though être is also seen.

Les températures ont chuté de dix degrés en une heure.

Dégringoler: This is a wonderful, expressive word that means 'to tumble down' or 'to hurtle down.' It implies a messy, multi-step fall, like someone falling down a flight of stairs or a ball bouncing down a hill. It is much more visual than the simple tomber.

Le chat a fait dégringoler tous les livres de l'étagère.

Basculer: This verb means 'to tip over' or 'to topple.' It is used when something loses its equilibrium and tips from one side to another. It is often used figuratively to describe a situation 'tipping' into chaos or a new phase.

La chaise a basculé en arrière.

Another alternative is s'écrouler, which means 'to collapse' or 'to crumble.' This is used for buildings, structures, or people who fall due to extreme exhaustion. While tomber is a simple descent, s'écrouler implies total destruction or failure. For a more poetic or literary tone, one might use choir, though this is extremely rare in modern spoken French and mostly found in classical literature. By learning these alternatives, you can specify whether someone simply fell (tombé), tumbled down (dégringolé), or collapsed entirely (s'est écroulé).

Après le marathon, il s'est écroulé sur la ligne d'arrivée.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

तटस्थ

अनौपचारिक

Child friendly

बोलचाल

रोचक तथ्य

The English word 'tumble' shares the same Germanic root as the French 'tomber'. They are linguistic cousins!

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /tɔ̃.be/

US /tɔ̃.be/

The stress is naturally on the last syllable in French: tom-BÉ.

तुकबंदी

aimer chanter manger parler aller donner passer jouer

आम गलतियाँ

Pronouncing the 'r' at the end.
Failing to make the 'om' nasal.
Pronouncing it like the English word 'tomb'.
Adding a 'd' sound like 'tomber' (English-style).
Making the 'o' too open like in 'top'.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 1/5

Very easy to recognize in texts as it looks like 'tumble'.

लिखना 3/5

Tricky due to the 'être' auxiliary and past participle agreement.

बोलना 2/5

Common in many idioms, but pronunciation is straightforward.

श्रवण 2/5

Easy to hear, though nasal vowels can be subtle for beginners.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

aller être par terre malade amoureux

आगे सीखें

chuter casser glisser s'évanouir arriver

उन्नत

déchoir péricliter s'affaisser succomber basculer

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Verbs of Motion and 'Être'

Je suis tombé (not j'ai tombé).

Past Participle Agreement

Marie est tombée (add 'e' for feminine).

Causative 'Faire'

Je fais tomber le livre (I drop the book).

Impersonal 'Il'

Il tombe de la neige (It is snowing).

Preposition 'Sur' for chance encounters

Tomber sur un ami (To run into a friend).

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

La pomme tombe de l'arbre.

The apple falls from the tree.

Present tense, third person singular.

Je tombe souvent quand je cours.

I fall often when I run.

First person singular, present tense.

La pluie tombe sur la ville.

The rain is falling on the city.

Weather expression using 'tomber'.

Attention ! Le verre va tomber.

Watch out! The glass is going to fall.

Near future tense with 'aller' + infinitive.

Il tombe amoureux de Marie.

He is falling in love with Marie.

Common idiom 'tomber amoureux'.

Les feuilles tombent en automne.

The leaves fall in autumn.

Plural subject, present tense.

Le stylo tombe par terre.

The pen falls on the ground.

Use of 'par terre' for 'on the ground'.

Est-ce que tu tombes ?

Are you falling?

Simple question in the present tense.

Je suis tombé dans l'escalier hier.

I fell in the stairs yesterday.

Passé composé with 'être'.

Elle est tombée malade pendant les vacances.

She fell ill during the holidays.

Agreement of past participle 'tombée' with feminine subject.

Nous sommes tombés sur un bon restaurant.

We stumbled upon a good restaurant.

Idiom 'tomber sur' meaning 'to find by chance'.

Ils sont tombés de vélo.

They fell off their bikes.

Plural agreement 'tombés'.

Laisse tomber ce vieux livre.

Drop that old book / Forget that old book.

Imperative of 'laisser tomber'.

Mon anniversaire est tombé un dimanche cette année.

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year.

Using 'tomber' for dates in the past.

Le vase est tombé et s'est cassé.

The vase fell and broke.

Sequence of events in the past.

Vous êtes tombés au bon moment.

You (plural) arrived at the right time.

Idiomatic use of 'tomber' for timing.

J'ai fait tomber mes clés dans la rue.

I dropped my keys in the street.

Causative 'faire tomber' for 'to drop'.

Le projet est tombé à l'eau faute de budget.

The project fell through due to lack of budget.

Idiom 'tomber à l'eau'.

Il ne faut pas tomber dans le panneau.

One must not fall for the trick.

Idiom 'tomber dans le panneau'.

La nuit tombait quand nous sommes arrivés.

Night was falling when we arrived.

Imparfait for background description.

Si je tombais, est-ce que tu m'aiderais ?

If I fell, would you help me?

Conditionnel with 'si' clause.

Le prix de l'essence est enfin tombé.

The price of gas has finally fallen.

Using 'tomber' for economic trends.

Elle est tombée enceinte de son premier enfant.

She became pregnant with her first child.

Common expression 'tomber enceinte'.

On est tombé d'accord après une longue discussion.

We reached an agreement after a long discussion.

Idiom 'tomber d'accord'.

Il est tombé de haut en apprenant la vérité.

He was bitterly disappointed upon learning the truth.

Idiom 'tomber de haut'.

Le gouvernement est tombé après le scandale.

The government fell after the scandal.

Political usage of 'tomber'.

Je suis tombé des nues quand elle a démissionné.

I was completely taken aback when she resigned.

Idiom 'tomber des nues'.

Il tombe des cordes, nous devrions rester ici.

It's raining cats and dogs, we should stay here.

Idiom 'tomber des cordes'.

Cette loi tombe sous le coup d'un nouvel amendement.

This law is subject to a new amendment.

Formal idiom 'tomber sous le coup de'.

Le rideau est tombé sur sa carrière d'acteur.

The curtain fell on his acting career.

Metaphorical use for endings.

Il est tombé en désuétude au fil des siècles.

It fell into disuse over the centuries.

Formal expression 'tomber en désuétude'.

Elle est tombée en extase devant le tableau.

She was enraptured by the painting.

Expression 'tomber en extase'.

Sa réponse tombe à point nommé pour résoudre le conflit.

His answer comes at just the right time to resolve the conflict.

Idiom 'tomber à point nommé'.

Il est tombé dans un mutisme profond après l'incident.

He fell into a deep silence after the incident.

Abstract use for psychological states.

Les masques sont tombés lors de la réunion.

The masks dropped (the truth came out) during the meeting.

Metaphorical idiom 'tomber le masque'.

Cette décision tombe sous le sens, n'est-ce pas ?

This decision is obvious, isn't it?

Idiom 'tomber sous le sens'.

Il ne faut pas laisser tomber les bras maintenant.

We must not give up now.

Idiom 'baisser les bras' vs 'laisser tomber'.

Le verdict est tombé ce matin à l'aube.

The verdict was delivered this morning at dawn.

Journalistic use for official announcements.

Elle est tombée de Charybde en Scylla.

She went from bad to worse (out of the frying pan into the fire).

Literary/Mythological idiom.

L'argument tombe à plat devant le jury.

The argument fell flat before the jury.

Idiom 'tomber à plat'.

L'héritage est tombé en déshérence faute de successeur.

The inheritance fell into escheat for lack of a successor.

Legal/Archaic term 'déshérence'.

Sa verve semble être tombée avec l'âge.

His eloquence seems to have declined with age.

Abstract use for personal qualities.

Le château tombe en ruines depuis des décennies.

The castle has been falling into ruins for decades.

Continuous state 'tomber en ruines'.

Il est tombé en disgrâce auprès du souverain.

He fell from grace with the sovereign.

Historical/Formal idiom 'tomber en disgrâce'.

La sentence est tombée comme un couperet.

The sentence fell like a guillotine blade (suddenly and harshly).

Vivid simile in formal French.

Elle est tombée en pâmoison devant son idole.

She swooned before her idol.

Literary/Old-fashioned term for fainting.

L'empire est tombé sous les assauts répétés des barbares.

The empire fell under the repeated assaults of the barbarians.

Historical narrative use.

Le silence est tombé sur la plaine enneigée.

Silence fell over the snowy plain.

Poetic use for atmosphere.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

tomber par terre

tomber amoureux

tomber malade

tomber enceinte

laisser tomber

faire tomber

tomber sur quelqu'un

tomber à pic

tomber d'accord

tomber en panne

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Ça tombe bien

Laisser tomber

Tomber dans les pommes

Tomber à l'eau

Tomber de sommeil

Tomber des nues

Tomber sur un os

Tomber en ruine

Tomber pile

Tomber de haut

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

tomber vs jeter

Jeter means to throw, while tomber means to fall. Don't confuse the action of throwing with the result of falling.

tomber vs baisser

Baisser means to lower or go down (like volume), while tomber is a more sudden drop.

tomber vs descendre

Descendre is a controlled movement down (stairs), while tomber is uncontrolled.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Tomber dans les bras de Morphée"

To fall into a deep sleep.

Il est vite tombé dans les bras de Morphée.

literary

"Tomber comme un cheveu sur la soupe"

To arrive at a completely inappropriate time.

Son commentaire est tombé comme un cheveu sur la soupe.

informal

"Tomber de Charybde en Scylla"

To go from one bad situation to an even worse one.

En changeant de job, il est tombé de Charybde en Scylla.

literary

"Tomber sur le râble"

To attack or criticize someone unexpectedly.

Le patron lui est tombé sur le râble sans prévenir.

slang

"Tomber des hallebardes"

To rain very heavily.

On ne peut pas sortir, il tombe des hallebardes.

informal

"Tomber dans le panneau"

To fall for a trap or a trick.

C'était une arnaque et il est tombé dans le panneau.

neutral

"Tomber à plat"

To fail to produce the intended effect (like a joke).

Sa blague est tombée à plat.

neutral

"Faire tomber le masque"

To reveal someone's true character.

La vérité a fini par faire tomber le masque.

literary

"Tomber de sa chaise"

To be extremely shocked by a piece of news.

Je suis tombé de ma chaise en voyant le prix.

informal

"Tomber sous le sens"

To be perfectly obvious.

C'est une solution qui tombe sous le sens.

formal

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

tomber vs Faire tomber

English uses 'drop' for both intentional and accidental acts.

In French, 'tomber' is only for the subject falling. If you cause something else to fall, you must use 'faire tomber'.

J'ai fait tomber mon verre (I dropped my glass).

tomber vs Laisser tomber

Can mean both 'to drop' and 'to give up'.

Context determines if it's a physical act of letting go or a figurative act of quitting.

Il a laissé tomber ses clés / Il a laissé tomber ses études.

tomber vs Chuter

Both mean 'to fall'.

Chuter is more formal, technical, or used in sports. Tomber is everyday language.

Le cycliste a chuté.

tomber vs S'écrouler

Both mean 'to fall'.

S'écrouler implies a total collapse of a structure or a person from exhaustion.

Le bâtiment s'est écroulé.

tomber vs Déposer

English 'drop off' someone.

Never use 'tomber' to drop someone off at a location. Use 'déposer'.

Je te dépose à l'école.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

[Subject] tombe.

La pluie tombe.

[Subject] tombe de [Place].

Il tombe du lit.

[Subject] est tombé(e) [Preposition] [Place].

Elle est tombée dans la rue.

[Subject] tombe amoureux/malade.

Je tombe amoureux.

J'ai fait tomber [Object].

J'ai fait tomber mon sac.

Laisse tomber [Object/Idea].

Laisse tomber cette histoire.

Ça tombe bien que [Subjunctive/Clause].

Ça tombe bien que tu sois là.

Tomber sous le coup de [Noun].

Cela tombe sous le coup de la loi.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Extremely high; top 200 French verbs.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

J'ai tombé mon livre. → J'ai fait tomber mon livre.
You cannot use 'tomber' transitively. To say you dropped something, use 'faire tomber'.
Je suis tombé amoureux avec elle. → Je suis tombé amoureux d'elle.
The idiom 'tomber amoureux' always takes the preposition 'de', not 'avec'.
Elle est tombé hier. → Elle est tombée hier.
Since 'tomber' uses 'être', the past participle must agree with the feminine subject 'Elle'.
Je vais te tomber à la gare. → Je vais te déposer à la gare.
English 'drop off' is 'déposer'. 'Tomber' or 'laisser tomber' here would mean to abandon or physically drop someone.
Le prix a tombé. → Le prix est tombé.
Even for abstract things like prices, 'tomber' still uses 'être' in the past tense.

सुझाव

The Auxiliary Rule

Always pair 'tomber' with 'être' in the past. Think of it as part of the DR MRS VANDERTRAMP list of verbs that describe movement or change of state.

Active Dropping

Remember that 'tomber' is something that happens to you. If you do it to something else, use 'faire tomber'. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

Apple Fainting

Memorize 'tomber dans les pommes'. It's a colorful way to say someone fainted and will make you sound very fluent in casual settings.

Perfect Timing

Use 'Ça tombe bien' when someone offers help or suggests an idea that fits your schedule. It's a very positive and common social lubricant.

Agreement Check

When writing, always look back at the subject. If it's 'elles', write 'tombées'. If it's 'nous' (and we are all men), write 'tombés'.

Nasal 'O'

Practice the 'om' in 'tomber'. It should be nasal, meaning air comes out of your nose and mouth at the same time. Don't pronounce the 'm' fully.

Nightfall

Use 'la nuit tombe' to describe the evening. It's more natural than saying 'le soir arrive' in many contexts.

Forget it!

If you're frustrated or want to move on from a topic, just say 'Laisse tomber'. It's the perfect way to end a confusing conversation.

Calendar Dates

Use 'tomber' to talk about which day of the week a holiday is on. 'Noël tombe un lundi.' This is exactly like English.

Surprise!

Learn 'tomber des nues' for when you are shocked. It literally means 'falling from the clouds' and is a very elegant expression.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of a 'Tomb'—if you fall (tomber) into a tomb, you've gone down! Or think of 'Tumble'—tomber is the start of a tumble.

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a giant autumn leaf (tombe) falling slowly onto a French cobblestone street.

Word Web

gravité chute accident pluie amour maladie nuit panne

चैलेंज

Try to use 'tomber' in three different ways today: once for weather, once for an accident, and once for a coincidence (ça tombe bien).

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from the Old French 'tumber', which comes from the Frankish '*tumbōn' meaning 'to turn' or 'to tumble.'

मूल अर्थ: Originally implied a more energetic or acrobatic movement, like tumbling or jumping, before evolving into the modern sense of falling.

Indo-European > Germanic (Frankish) > Romance (French).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

No specific sensitivities, but 'tomber enceinte' (to become pregnant) is common but can be seen as slightly informal in medical contexts compared to 'être enceinte'.

English speakers often confuse 'fall' and 'drop'. Remember French uses 'faire tomber' for the active 'drop'.

Edith Piaf's songs often mention falling in love or falling into despair. The movie 'La Haine' features a famous monologue about a man falling from a building: 'Jusqu'ici tout va bien...' The Fall of the Berlin Wall is 'La chute du Mur de Berlin' in French.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Accidents

Je suis tombé.
Fais attention à ne pas tomber.
Il est tombé dans l'escalier.
Le vase est tombé.

Weather

La pluie tombe.
La neige commence à tomber.
La grêle tombe fort.
La nuit tombe vite.

Relationships

Il est tombé amoureux.
Elle est tombée amoureuse de lui.
Ils sont tombés amoureux au premier regard.
Je ne veux pas retomber amoureux.

Health

Je tombe malade.
Elle est tombée enceinte.
Il est tombé dans les pommes.
La fièvre est tombée.

Conversations

Laisse tomber.
Ça tombe bien.
Ça tombe mal.
Je suis tombé sur lui.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Est-ce que tu es déjà tombé amoureux au premier regard ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu fais quand tu tombes malade en vacances ?"

"Est-ce que ton anniversaire tombe un jour de semaine cette année ?"

"Es-tu déjà tombé sur quelqu'un que tu n'avais pas vu depuis des années ?"

"Qu'est-ce qui te fait dire 'laisse tomber' le plus souvent ?"

डायरी विषय

Décris une fois où tu es tombé par terre en public. C'était embarrassant ?

Parle d'un projet qui est tombé à l'eau. Comment as-tu réagi ?

Décris la dernière fois où tu es tombé malade. Qu'as-tu fait pour guérir ?

Écris sur un moment où quelque chose est tombé pile au bon moment dans ta vie.

Imagine que la neige tombe sur ta ville. Décris le paysage et tes sentiments.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Yes, in 99% of cases, 'tomber' uses 'être' because it is a verb of motion. The only rare exception is in very specific technical or transitive uses in older French, but for modern learners, 'être' is the rule. Example: 'Je suis tombé'.

You must use 'faire tomber'. You say 'J'ai fait tomber mon téléphone.' If you say 'J'ai tombé mon téléphone,' it is grammatically incorrect.

It literally means 'let fall,' but it is used to mean 'forget it,' 'never mind,' or 'drop it.' It's very common in casual speech.

Yes, it is used for rain ('la pluie tombe') and snow ('la neige tombe'). It describes the falling of precipitation from the sky.

It is the most common and natural way. You can also say 's'éprendre de quelqu'un' (more formal) or 'avoir un coup de foudre' (to have love at first sight).

Tomber is general and common. Chuter is more formal, often used for sports accidents, medical falls, or economic drops in prices.

You add an 'e' to the end: 'Elle est tombée.' The pronunciation remains the same, but the spelling changes.

It means 'That works out well' or 'That's convenient.' It's used when something happens at a perfect time.

Usually, we say 'mon ordinateur a planté' or 'est en panne,' but you can say 'le système est tombé' in technical IT contexts (the server is down).

It is a funny French idiom that means 'to faint.' It literally translates to 'to fall into the apples.'