Meaning
To make a good or bad impression on someone; to get along well/poorly.
Cultural Background
In Mexico, 'caer gordo' is extremely common. It doesn't mean the person is fat; it means they are annoying or unlikable. Spaniards often use 'caer majo' as a variation of 'caer bien', where 'majo' means nice or pleasant. In Argentina, you might hear 'caer de diez' to say someone made a perfect impression.
The 'Crush' Test
If you wouldn't date them, use 'caer bien'. If you would, use 'gustar'.
Watch the Plurals
If you like a group of people, the verb must be 'caen'. 'Me caen bien tus padres'.
Meaning
To make a good or bad impression on someone; to get along well/poorly.
The 'Crush' Test
If you wouldn't date them, use 'caer bien'. If you would, use 'gustar'.
Watch the Plurals
If you like a group of people, the verb must be 'caen'. 'Me caen bien tus padres'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct pronoun for: '(To me) I like them.'
___ caen bien ellos.
We use 'me' because it follows the gustar-like structure for the first person singular.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'caer'.
Tus primos me ______ (bien).
The verb must be plural to agree with 'tus primos'.
Which phrase would you use if a burger made you feel sick?
La hamburguesa...
In the context of food, 'me cae mal' means it disagreed with your stomach.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Te cae bien el nuevo vecino? B: No, ________.
The speaker is expressing their own negative opinion.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Caer Bien vs. Gustar
Practice Bank
4 exercises___ caen bien ellos.
We use 'me' because it follows the gustar-like structure for the first person singular.
Tus primos me ______ (bien).
The verb must be plural to agree with 'tus primos'.
La hamburguesa...
In the context of food, 'me cae mal' means it disagreed with your stomach.
A: ¿Te cae bien el nuevo vecino? B: No, ________.
The speaker is expressing their own negative opinion.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it is only for people or food. For objects, use 'gustar'.
It is direct. To be more polite, you can say 'No me cae muy bien' or 'No tenemos mucha química'.
They are almost identical. 'Me cae simpático' specifically highlights that the person is friendly.
Related Phrases
Llevarse bien
similarTo get along with someone.
Gustar
similarTo like.
Caer gordo
specialized formTo strongly dislike someone.
