to fit, enter (to be able to be contained (by something; regardless of whether space or volume remains)); to traverse, pass through or across (a way, path, door, hole, opening, mouth, orifice, etc.); to be held or contained (to be held inside (something) or passed through (regardless of whether space or volume remains)); to have, hold, should be (in certain phrases); to be acceptable, accepted, permitted, permissible, allowable, etc.
“Quise tomar prestados los pantalones de mi hermana pequeña, pero no me cabían.” — I wanted to borrow my little sister's trousers, but they didn't fit me.
Synonyms: entrar, pasar, tener cabida
Inherited from Old Spanish caber, from Latin capiō, capere (“take, hold, contain”), from Proto-Italic *kapiō, from Proto-Indo-European *kh₂pyéti, from the root *kap- (“to seize, grab”). Compare English have, capture, catch and chase. See also Spanish cazar, cachar. The 1st person singular of the present reflects an original */ˈkai̯po/, through metathesis from Latin capiō (compare Portuguese caibo). Similarly the preterite continues */ˈkau̯pi/, metathesis of a Vulgar Latin perfect stem *capuī (co