tomber
- Dictionary
tomber
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., éternuer.).
a. to fall
Hier, j'ai glissé sur le trottoir glacé et je suis tombée.Yesterday, I slipped on the icy sidewalk and I fell.
b. to fall down
Une grosse branche du chêne est tombée dans le jardin.A big branch of the oak tree fell down into the yard.
c. to fall over
Tiens-toi à la balustrade pour ne pas tomber.Hold on to the railing so you don't fall over.
2. (weather)
a. to fall
La neige tombe en abondance à Chamonix aujourd'hui.Heavy snow is falling in Chamonix today.
b. to come down
On a prévu de fortes pluies aujourd'hui, et ça tombe.They forecast heavy rain today, and it's coming down.
a. to fall from
C'est l'automne au Québec et les feuilles tombent des arbres.It's autumn in Québec, and the leaves are falling from the trees.
b. to fall off
Est-ce que ce bouton est tombé de votre chemise ?Did this button fall off your shirt?
4. (figurative) (to go from one state to another)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Léo est tombé amoureux de Léa au moment de leur rencontre.Léo fell in love with Léa the moment they met.
b. to become
Aissatou est tombée malade après avoir mangé dans ce restaurant.Aissatou became ill after eating in that restaurant.
c. to get (a condition)
Lucienne est tombée enceinte juste après le mariage.Lucienne got pregnant right after the wedding.
5. (figurative) (to find at random; used with "sur")
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to come across
Je suis tombée sur un magasin qui vend de belles poteries.I came across a store that sells beautiful pottery.
b. to bump into (figurative) (a person)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Nico est tombé sur son ex au café.Nico bumped into his ex at the café.
c. to get (a person)
Nous avons appelé trois fois et nous sommes finalement tombés sur un responsable au téléphone.We called three times, and we finally got a manager on the phone.
6. (figurative) (to hang down)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Les cheveux lisses du mannequin lui tombent aux épaules.The model's straight hair falls to his shoulders.
b. to droop
Le petit garçon était si fatigué que ses paupières tombaient.The little boy was so tired that his eyelids were drooping.
8. (figurative) (to disappear)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall away (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Une fois que j'aurai expliqué la situation, tous les doutes de mon mari tomberont.Once I explain the situation, all of my husband's doubts will fall away.
b. to fade (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Ne t'en fais pas, cette rumeur va tomber avec le temps.Don't worry, this rumor will fade over time.
c. to vanish (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Après avoir vu ce qui se passait, les illusions de Cédric tombèrent.After seeing what was happening, Cédric's illusions vanished.
9. (figurative) (to die)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Nous honorons le sacrifice de tous les soldats qui sont tombés sur le champ de bataille.We honor the sacrifice of all the soldiers who fell on the battlefield.
10. (figurative) (to lose power)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Le gouvernement est tombé pendant les soulèvements.The government fell during the uprisings.
b. to be toppled (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
Ce dictateur tombera grâce au peuple.That dictator will be toppled thanks to the people.
11. (figurative) (to take place)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to fall on (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
La Saint-Valentin tombe un samedi cette année.Valentine's day falls on a Saturday this year.
b. to happen
Le festival tombe pendant notre semaine de vacances en Martinique.The festival is happening during our vacation week in Martinique.
12. (figurative) (to be announced)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
a. to come out (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning (e.g., to pull someone's leg).
La nouvelle est tombée à midi : l’entreprise ferme définitivement ses portes.The news came out at noon: the company is closing its doors for good.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
13. (to conquer)
a. to defeat
Le lutteur a facilement tombé son adversaire.The fighter easily defeated his adversary.
a. to slip off
Odette tombe toujours la chemise quand elle rentre chez elle.Odette always slips off her shirt when she gets back home.
Examples
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