German Conversation · Level 13
89 words
German word
fallen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfalən/
Meaning
- verbfall
Example
Die Blätter fallen im Herbst.
The leaves fall in autumn.
More examples
Die Tassen fallen vom Tisch.
The cups fall off the table.
Core concept
Something loses height or level, whether it comes down gently, drops suddenly, or ends up lower than before.
Common phrases
vom Tisch fallen
fall off the table
aus der Hand fallen
fall out of one's hand
auf den Boden fallen
fall onto the floor
Similar words
hinfallen: To tumble to the ground after losing balance.
stürzen: To plunge downward or collapse with sudden force.
herunterfallen: To drop down from above, such as from a shelf or branch.
sinken: To become lower gradually, especially for water levels or prices.
Definition in German
in eine niedrigere Position oder Lage geraten, oft ungewollt; auf Blätter, Tropfen, Personen oder Zahlen (z. B. Preise) anwendbar.
Word origin
German fallen continues the Germanic verb behind English fall, with Old High German fallan as an earlier recorded form.
Usage tips
- Fallen is intransitive for an unplanned downward movement, while causing something to drop is expressed with fallen lassen or a different transitive verb.