tomber at A1 — the present tense
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A simple verb with an enormous figurative afterlife.
Falling down
tomber is a plain regular -ER verb meaning to fall: « je tombe », « il tombe ». Its literal sense is easy, which is lucky, because almost everything interesting about this verb is figurative and comes later.
One thing to fix now: it takes être in the past, not avoir. That is covered properly at A2, but start expecting it.
💡 Focus at this level: Basics — falling
👨🏫 How to use « tomber » at this level
1. Regular in the present. No surprises.
2. Weather falls too. « La pluie tombe. »
3. « Attention, tu vas tomber ! » — the everyday warning.
Attention, tu vas tomber !Careful, you’re going to fall!
La pluie tombe.The rain is falling.
Les feuilles tombent en automne.Leaves fall in autumn.
Il tombe souvent.He falls often.
🎮 Practise « tomber »
Play the free French games → · Back to the full « tomber » chart →
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