tomber/tɔ̃.be/
verb · A2 · Frequency 305
verb
Meanings
to fall, to drop
Indicates an object moving from a higher to a lower position.
to come down, to decrease
Indicates a reduction in quantity, level, or degree.
to bump into, to come across; to be connected (on the phone)
Indicates meeting someone by chance or a phone call being connected.
to become, to turn into
Indicates a change of state or identity.
Examples
Il risque de tomber en descendant cet escalier glissant.
He risks falling while going down these slippery stairs.
Les températures devraient tomber pendant la nuit.
Temperatures are expected to fall during the night.
Il est agréable de tomber sur un ancien camarade par hasard.
It is pleasant to bump into an old classmate by chance.
Après plusieurs jours sans traitement, il peut tomber malade.
After several days without treatment, he may become ill.
Collocations
- tomber par terreto fall to the ground
- tomber en panneto break down
- tomber maladeto fall ill
Common mistakes
Il a tombé.
Il est tombé.
The verb tomber uses être, not avoir, as its auxiliary in the passé composé; with il, the past participle remains masculine singular: tombé.
Related words
Grammar note
The verb tomber forms compound tenses with the auxiliary être, and its past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
verb
Meanings
to fall, to drop
Indicates an object moving from a higher to a lower position.
to come down, to decrease
Indicates a reduction in quantity, level, or degree.
to bump into, to come across; to be connected (on the phone)
Indicates meeting someone by chance or a phone call being connected.
to become, to turn into
Indicates a change of state or identity.
Examples
Tombant de l'arbre, une pomme a roulé sur le chemin.
Falling from the tree, an apple rolled onto the path.
La température tombant rapidement, nous avons fermé les fenêtres.
As the temperature was dropping quickly, we closed the windows.
Tombant sur un ancien collègue au marché, elle a prolongé ses courses.
Bumping into a former colleague at the market, she extended her shopping trip.
Tombant malade pendant le voyage, il a dû rester à l'hôtel.
Falling ill during the trip, he had to stay at the hotel.
Grammar note
The verb tomber forms compound tenses with the auxiliary être, and its past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
verb
Meanings
to fall, to drop
Indicates an object moving from a higher to a lower position.
to come down, to decrease
Indicates a reduction in quantity, level, or degree.
to bump into, to come across; to be connected (on the phone)
Indicates meeting someone by chance or a phone call being connected.
to become, to turn into
Indicates a change of state or identity.
Examples
Le vase est tombé de l'étagère pendant la nuit.
The vase fell off the shelf during the night.
Le taux de participation est tombé à 42 % cette année.
The participation rate fell to 42% this year.
Hier, je suis tombé sur mon ancien professeur au marché.
Yesterday, I bumped into my former teacher at the market.
Grammar note
The verb tomber forms compound tenses with the auxiliary être, and its past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
verb
Meanings
to fall, to drop
Indicates an object moving from a higher to a lower position.
to come down, to decrease
Indicates a reduction in quantity, level, or degree.
to bump into, to come across; to be connected (on the phone)
Indicates meeting someone by chance or a phone call being connected.
to become, to turn into
Indicates a change of state or identity.
Examples
La pluie tombe depuis le début de la matinée.
The rain has been falling since early morning.
La température tombe dès que le soleil disparaît.
The temperature drops as soon as the sun disappears.
Après plusieurs appels, je tombe enfin sur le service compétent.
After several calls, I finally get through to the appropriate department.
À force de rester seule, elle tombe dans la mélancolie.
After spending so much time alone, she falls into melancholy.
Grammar note
The verb tomber forms compound tenses with the auxiliary être, and its past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
verb
Meanings
to fall, to drop
Indicates an object moving from a higher to a lower position.
to come down, to decrease
Indicates a reduction in quantity, level, or degree.
to bump into, to come across; to be connected (on the phone)
Indicates meeting someone by chance or a phone call being connected.
to become, to turn into
Indicates a change of state or identity.
Examples
Tu tombes souvent quand tu cours sur ce sentier.
You often fall when you run on this path.
Tu tombes sous la barre des cinquante euros grâce à cette remise.
With this discount, you come down below fifty euros.
Quand tu appelles le service client, tu tombes sur une personne très aimable.
When you call customer service, you reach a very kind person.
Si tu tombes malade, reste chez toi et repose-toi.
If you become ill, stay home and rest.
Grammar note
The verb tomber forms compound tenses with the auxiliary être, and its past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.