fallen
to fall
To move from top to bottom due to gravity; to fall to the ground.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, die Blätter fallen von den Bäumen und der Weg ist rutschig.
Careful, the leaves are falling from the trees and the path is slippery.
fallen
to fall
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Meanings
fallen
to fall
To decrease in value, quantity, or level; to decline.
EXAMPLE
Die Temperaturen sollen in der Nacht unter null Grad fallen.
Temperatures are expected to fall below zero degrees during the night.
jemandem schwer/leicht fallen
to be hard/easy
To be difficult or easy for someone to do something.
EXAMPLE
Es fällt mir leicht, neue Sprachen zu lernen.
It is easy for me to learn new languages.
fallen
to fall on
To occur on a particular day or date in the calendar.
EXAMPLE
Mein Geburtstag fällt dieses Jahr auf einen Samstag.
My birthday falls on a Saturday this year.
fallen
to fall
To be killed in a battle or war.
EXAMPLE
Sein Großvater ist im Zweiten Weltkrieg gefallen.
His grandfather fell in the Second World War.
fallen
to be made / said
To be pronounced or mentioned (e.g. a word, a decision).
EXAMPLE
Bei der Sitzung ist endlich eine Entscheidung gefallen.
At the meeting, a decision was finally made.
Usage tips
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
The verb 'fallen' (to fall) always forms compound tenses (such as the perfect tense) with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be). This is because it describes movement or a change of state.
EXAMPLE
Der teure Teller ist mir aus der Hand gefallen.
The expensive plate fell out of my hand.
Common mistake
The past participle of 'fallen' (to fall) is 'gefallen' (fallen). This word is identical to the infinitive of the verb 'gefallen' (to please). You distinguish them by the auxiliary verb: 'Der Apfel ist gefallen' (The apple has fallen; fallen, with 'sein'), but 'Das Geschenk hat gefallen' (The gift was pleasing; gefallen, with 'haben').
EXAMPLE
Der Schnee ist leise gefallen.
The snow fell quietly.
Context clue
Whether 'fallen' (to fall) is meant literally (to fall down) or figuratively (to decrease) can be recognized from the subject of the sentence. If it involves abstract values like 'Preise' (prices), 'Temperaturen' (temperatures), or 'Kurse' (rates/share prices), 'fallen' always means 'sinken' (to sink/decrease) or 'abnehmen' (to decline).
EXAMPLE
Der Aktienkurs der Firma ist plötzlich gefallen.
The company's share price suddenly fell.
Dative construction
In the expression 'jemandem schwer/leicht fallen' (to be hard/easy for someone), the person who experiences something as difficult or easy is always in the dative. The subject is often the impersonal 'es' (it).
EXAMPLE
Es fällt ihm schwer, früh aufzustehen.
It is hard for him to get up early.
Register and context
The meaning 'to be killed in war' is very specific. The word 'gefallen' (fallen) is used in this context as a formal, almost euphemistic expression for the death of soldiers.
EXAMPLE
An dem Denkmal stehen die Namen der gefallenen Soldaten.
The names of the fallen soldiers are written on the memorial.
Typical collocations
In a passive-like meaning, 'fallen' (to be made/said) is used with impersonal subjects like 'Entscheidung' (decision), 'Urteil' (judgment), or 'Wort' (word). It means that something is decided or said.
EXAMPLE
In der Besprechung ist noch keine Entscheidung gefallen.
No decision has been made in the meeting yet.
Compare with
fallen vs liegen
to lie / be located
When talking about appointments, liegen and fallen both indicate a position in time. With liegen, you say that the appointment lies on Monday; with fallen, you say that it falls on Monday. The key difference is therefore how each verb combines with the time expression.
fallen
Der nächste Beratungstermin fällt auf Montag.
The next consultation appointment falls on Monday.
liegen
Der nächste Beratungstermin liegt am Montag.
The next consultation appointment is on Monday.
In real life
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