The verb caber is irregular and primarily appears in the first-person singular form quepo in the present tense. It is not commonly used in the past participle form and typically appears in the infinitive, simple tenses, and conditional/future forms. The core meaning is about fitting—whether something can physically fit inside a container, space, or arrangement.
Conjugation Charts
The main irregularity is in the first-person singular forms of several tenses. Other forms follow regular patterns for -er verbs.
Present Indicative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | quepo | I fit |
tú | cabes | you fit |
él/ella/usted | cabe | he/she fits |
nosotros | cabemos | we fit |
vosotros | cabéis | you all fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | caben | they fit |
Preterite Indicative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | cupe | I fit / I managed to fit |
tú | cupiste | you fit |
él/ella/usted | cupo | he/she fit |
nosotros | cupimos | we fit |
vosotros | cupisteis | you all fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | cupieron | they fit |
Imperfect Indicative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | cabía | I used to fit |
tú | cabías | you used to fit |
él/ella/usted | cabía | he/she used to fit |
nosotros | cabíamos | we used to fit |
vosotros | cabíais | you all used to fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | cabían | they used to fit |
Future Indicative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | cabré | I will fit |
tú | cabrás | you will fit |
él/ella/usted | cabrá | he/she will fit |
nosotros | cabremos | we will fit |
vosotros | cabréis | you all will fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | cabrán | they will fit |
Conditional Indicative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | cabría | I would fit |
tú | cabrías | you would fit |
él/ella/usted | cabría | he/she would fit |
nosotros | cabríamos | we would fit |
vosotros | cabríais | you all would fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | cabrían | they would fit |
Present Subjunctive
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | quepa | I fit / I may fit |
tú | quepas | you fit / you may fit |
él/ella/usted | quepa | he/she fits / may fit |
nosotros | quepamos | we fit / we may fit |
vosotros | quepáis | you all fit / may fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | quepan | they fit / they may fit |
Imperfect Subjunctive (–ra form)
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
yo | cupiera | I fit / I might fit |
tú | cupieras | you fit / you might fit |
él/ella/usted | cupiera | he/she fits / might fit |
nosotros | cupiéramos | we fit / we might fit |
vosotros | cupierais | you all fit / might fit |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | cupieran | they fit / might fit |
Imperative
Person | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation |
---|---|---|
tú | cabe | fit! |
usted | quepa | fit (formal)! |
nosotros | quepamos | let’s fit! |
vosotros | cabed | fit (you all)! |
ustedes | quepan | fit (you all formal)! |
Usage Rules
Meaning and Usage
- Caber means “to fit,” indicating whether something can be contained or accommodated within a space.
- It can be used for physical objects, clothes, containers, or even abstract concepts like ideas or time.
Common Prepositions
- en + [noun] — most common: ¿Cabe en la caja? (Does it fit in the box?)
- dentro de — more formal or specific: Cabe dentro del armario. (It fits inside the closet.)
Two Common Forms
- Interrogative/negative with caber + preposition + noun: ¿Cabe en la maleta? No, no cabe.
- Impersonal with caber + de + noun: Cabía de sobra en la mochila. (There was plenty of room in the backpack.)
Synonyms and Alternatives
- Entrar — to enter: ¿Entra en la caja? (Similar meaning, but more about “entering”)
- Ajustar — to adjust: Se ajusta perfectamente. (Fits perfectly, more about size/shape)
Examples and Patterns
Spanish Example | English Example | Explanation |
---|---|---|
¿Cabe este libro en la mochila? | Does this book fit in the backpack? | Standard question about fitting an object into a container. |
No, no cabe. | No, it doesn’t fit. | Simple negative response. |
Caben seis personas en el coche. | Six people fit in the car. | Expresses capacity. |
¿Cuánto cabe en este jarro? | How much fits in this jug? | Asks about volume or capacity. |
Ya no cabe nadie más. | No one else fits anymore. | Used with nadie for “no one else.” |
¿Crees que quepa todo en la maleta? | Do you think everything will fit in the suitcase? | Subjunctive quepa used for uncertainty or possibility. |
Cabía de sobra dentro de la caja. | It easily fit inside the box. | Impersonal + de sobra (more than enough). |
Si cabrías, trae más libros. | If you fit, bring more books. | Conditional cabrías in a polite request. |
Additional Notes
- Caber* is seldom used in continuous (progressive) tenses.
- It often occurs in idiomatic expressions like no cabe duda (there’s no doubt).
- Mastering caber helps with talking about packing, organizing, and estimating space.
Flashcards (1 of 55)
- Person: yo
- English Conjugation: I fit
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025