resbalar y caer
/resbalaɾ i kaeɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for slip and fall is resbalar y caer.
This phrase is used to describe losing one's balance on a slippery surface and dropping to the ground.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two verbs: resbalar, which means to slip and caer, which means to fall.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing an accident that happened in the past, you can use the preterite tense, such as resbaló y cayó to say he or she slipped and fell. In many Spanish-speaking regions, it is common to add the reflexive pronoun se to both verbs, resulting in se resbaló y se cayó to indicate that the person experienced the accident.
How do you pronounce it?
/resbalaɾ i kaeɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb caer is used in the common idiom caer en la cuenta, which means to suddenly realize something, literally 'falling into the account'.
- While resbalar y caer describes the accident, Spanish speakers might use the phrase dar un resbalón to describe the brief moment of losing balance.
- The verb resbalar is used to describe a surface that is 'slippery' by saying the surface resbala, effectively saying the floor 'slips'.
Examples in context
- ¡Me resbalé y caí en la tienda!I slipped and fell in the store!
- Ten cuidado, no te vayas a resbalar y caer.Be careful, don't slip and fall.
- Ten cuidado para no resbalar y caer.Be careful not to slip and fall.
- Es peligroso resbalar y caer en el hielo.It is dangerous to slip and fall on the ice.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are walking in a wet park.
- DanielEl suelo está muy mojado, Sofía.The ground is very wet, Sofia.
- SofíaSí, es fácil resbalar y caer aquí.Yes, it is easy to slip and fall here.
- DanielCaminemos con mucho cuidado, por favor.Let's walk very carefully, please.
- SofíaDe acuerdo, Daniel, iré despacio.Okay, Daniel, I will go slowly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
