If you’ve listened to people speak Spanish in an informal setting you’ve probably heard “Me cae bien.” This is a very common expression in Spanish. But what’s actually the meaning of “Me cae bien”?
This expression can actually cause a lot of confusion. This is because the literal translation in English makes no sense! That’s exactly why, when you’re learning Spanish, you’re learning the whole language, you’re not supposed to just translate everything.
Starting with this fun expression, we are going to learn so much. From “me cae bien” to the problem with literal translation. Why “I like her” is not what you think in Spanish, and what are real Spanish expressions of liking someone. Let’s start this educational journey!
The problem with translating Spanish expressions
When you learn a new language, it’s not advisable to translate every single word you encounter. You have to understand the meaning of the sentence without having to translate it word for word to your first language. This is a smart strategy, because some sentences are impossible to translate!
“Me cae bien” is a perfect example of this phenomenon. This is a very common Spanish expression. You could hear it every day. And yet, when you translate it to English it means something like… “Falls well to me”? What is that?!
This is due to a few reasons. For starters, the sentence structure from English to Spanish may vary. And small words like prepositions and pronouns can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
Then, of course, some things we say just aren’t supposed to be taken literally. This happens in every language. We all use metaphors, idioms, allegories, symbolic words, and just common expressions that shouldn’t be taken that seriously.
So, that takes us back to our original question.
What is the “Me cae bien” meaning?
We have established that “Me cae bien” shouldn’t be taken literally. It’s one of those Spanish expressions that simply shouldn’t be translated word for word. That awkward result would be “Falls well to me”. Which doesn’t make any sense!
The real meaning of “Me cae bien” is something more along the lines of “I like them”. It means that you find this person pleasant, friendly, or simply nice. This expression indicates that someone made a good impression on you and you enjoy their company.
“Me cae bien” means you like someone. But it’s a very practical expression, because it’s very casual. There isn’t a romantic undertone to this sentence. You can say “Me cae bien” about a friend, a coworker, or even a nice acquaintance.
However, that isn’t the end of the possible confusions. Now that you are aware of the problem with literal translations, there’s more to consider. For example, you know that “Me cae bien” means something similar to “i like them”. But now it’s time to see how “I like them” can be so different from “Me gusta”. You’ll thank me later!
“Me cae bien” vs. “Me gusta”
At this point we’re looking at two different Spanish expressions of liking, “Me cae bien” and “Me gusta”. Pay attention, these two are not interchangeable! “Me cae bien” can be used with someone you like. But “me gusta” isn’t used with just anyone you find nice.
If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. The explanation is actually very simple. It turns out that liking someone in Spanish, using the verb “Gustar”, is a little more romantic! When you say “Ella me gusta”, you aren’t just saying she’s nice, it sounds like you have a crush on her. So be careful using this expression at work!
That is why Spanish speakers often use expressions like “Me cae bien”. This little phrase is so much more casual than “Me gusta”. If you need a little extra help figuring out when and how to use this expression, it’s okay. You can find all the answers you need here.
When to use “Me cae bien”
Knowing when and how to use Spanish expressions isn’t always easy. And Spanish expressions of liking aren’t the exception. So, here are a few ideas to show exactly when and how you can start using the phrase “Me cae bien”. Take a look:
- When you like someone’s personality. This is a good expression to show you think someone is likeable.
Example: A ellos les cae bien mi hermano. (They like my brother)
- When you get along well with someone. If you have a good time and positive interactions with someone you can say “Me cae bien.” Meaning you like spending time together.
Example: Nosotros nos caemos bien. (We like each other)
- To show you like someone platonically. You can say “No me gusta, pero me cae bien.” Meaning you aren’t romantically attracted, but you like them as a person.
Example: ¿Te cae bien tu nuevo jefe? (Do you like your new boss?)
I hope this guide has made things a little clearer. Now you should be able to use “Me cae bien” with much more confidence. Which is a fantastic way to start making more Spanish speaking friends!
And, if you want to take things to the next level, there are still more similar sentences you should learn. Let’s see them!
Related expressions
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Me agrada
This is a similar expression. You can use it to say you find someone agreeable or likeable. And it doesn’t necessarily have romantic connotations either. It is a little more vague or distant than “Me cae bien”. So you can use it in more formal contexts.
Example: “La nueva compañera de trabajo nos agrada.” (I like my new coworker)
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Me llevo bien con
Next, we have a more specific one. In this case, you can use this expression when you get along well with someone. Nothing more and nothing less!
Example: “Mi papá se lleva bien con su jefe” (My dad gets along well with his boss)
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Me cae super bien / genial / de maravilla
Yes, you can experiment with this a little! You can combine this expression with other positive words to express just how nice you think someone else is. This can show creativity and a great understanding of the language.
Example: “La hermana de mi amiga me cae super bien” (My friend’s sister is super nice)
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Me cae mal / No me cae bien
And, of course, it’s necessary to know the negative side. It’s not enough to know this expression as it is. It can be very useful to learn the opposite expression. And this isn’t to encourage you to say bad things about people. But you will find it more practical to say you don’t get along with someone instead of saying you literally hate them!
Example: “No los odio, pero mis nuevos vecinos me caen mal” (I don’t hate them, but I don’t like my new neighbors)
So, what do you think? Do you like these expressions? These are all very useful and practical sentences you can add to your vocabulary. You have to be careful, of course. Take into consideration if you’re using them in an appropriate situation. Some of these are more formal while others are special for casual contexts.
The key to mastering Spanish expression of linking people is practice and attention. Yes, you have to pay close attention to the vocabulary and the expressions used by the people around you in any given setting.
With time, patience, and practice, you’ll get it! These expressions and the entire language will come more and more naturally to you. So, start using them today, don’t lose your motivation, and enjoy the process. You got this!
