Translation
to fall
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Word origin
Of imitative or Germanic origin, probably from a Frankish root meaning 'to fall, to tumble', related to the source of English 'tumble'.
- Origin
- Frankish
- Root
- tumon
- English cognates
- tumble
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | tombe | tombais | tombai | tomberai | tomberais |
| tu | tombes | tombais | tombas | tomberas | tomberais |
| il/elle | tombe | tombait | tomba | tombera | tomberait |
| nous | tombons | tombions | tombâmes | tomberons | tomberions |
| vous | tombez | tombiez | tombâtes | tomberez | tomberiez |
| ils/elles | tombent | tombaient | tombèrent | tomberont | tomberaient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | tombe | tombasse |
| tu | tombes | tombasses |
| il/elle | tombe | tombât |
| nous | tombions | tombassions |
| vous | tombiez | tombassiez |
| ils/elles | tombent | tombassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | tombe |
| nous | tombons |
| vous | tombez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- tombant
- Past participle
- tombé · tombée · tombés · tombées
Examples
.
He almost fell while getting out of the car.
.
Be careful not to fall on the stairs.
.
Night was beginning to fall when they got back.
, !
Be careful, you are going to fall down the stairs!
.
Night is starting to fall over the English countryside.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(4)Grammar articles
(10)Avoir vs Être in French: The Verbs That Take Être
French Grammar Cheat Sheet: The Essentials on One Page
French Adjectives and Nouns with à or de: Rules and List
French Conjugation: Tables for Every Tense and Group
French Future Tense: Futur Simple vs Futur Proche
French Infinitive or Subjunctive? The Same-Subject Rule
Intermediate French Grammar (B1-B2): What Breaks the Plateau
French Past Participle Agreement: être, avoir and se
French Perception Verbs + Infinitive: voir, entendre
French Slang and Verlan: How French People Actually Talk
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "tomber" (to fall): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 5, lesson 10: tomber, sous, côté and 7 more words.