tomber
drop
The French word 'tomber' is used to describe the action of 'dropping' something, in the sense of it falling from a higher position to a lower one. It can be used in various contexts, just like in English - when an object falls from someone's hand, when the temperature falls/drops, or when someone falls down.
Example sentences using: tomber
Il va tomber si tu ne le retiens pas.
He will fall if you do not hold him back.
This phrase is a prediction about the negative consequence (falling) if a certain action is not taken (restraining him). It's a conditional sentence which is used to speculate about what could happen in a specific situation.
On doit tous tomber avant d'apprendre à marcher.
We must all fall before learning to walk.
This phrase is a metaphorical expression emphasizing the necessary trials and errors in any learning process, similar to the English phrase 'no pain no gain'.
La pomme est tombée de l'arbre.
The apple fell from the tree.
This sentence is a simple past statement describing an event where an apple falls from a tree.
La neige commence à tomber.
The snow is starting to fall.
This sentence expresses an observation about the start of a snowfall. It is present tense used to express an action happening currently.
Tu risques de tomber si tu ne fais pas attention.
You risk falling if you are not careful.
This sentence is warning someone to be careful, if not, they may fall. It's a cautionary statement using a conditional if-then phrase.
Les feuilles commencent à tomber en automne.
The leaves start to fall in Autumn.
This sentence is describing a typical seasonal event of leaves falling during Autumn. It is a general truth and hence present tense is used.
Il a peur de tomber en vélo.
He is afraid of falling off the bike.
This phrase means that he has a fear of falling when he is bicycling. It shows a personal fear or insecurity.
Je ne veux pas tomber malade avant mon voyage.
I do not want to fall ill before my trip.
This sentence expresses a negative desire of someone wishing not to become sick before they take a journey, implying that getting sick would perhaps cancel or complicate the trip.
Elle a eu la chance de ne pas tomber sur un professeur strict.
She was lucky not to fall on a strict teacher.
This phrase 'tomber sur' meaning 'encounter', 'meet', or 'come across' is an idiomatic expression. The sentence illustrates that the person got lucky in not encountering a strict teacher.
Tomber amoureux c'est facile, mais rester amoureux c'est difficile.
Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is hard.
This statement compares the act of 'falling in love' to the effort it takes to 'stay in love', suggesting that sustaining love requires more effort compared to the initial stages of romantic attraction.