caso

A particular instance, situation, event, or matter, often one that is being investigated or considered. It can also refer to an example or a specific set of circumstances.

• Este es un caso muy complejo para la policía. — This is a very complex case for the police.
• En muchos casos, es mejor pedir ayuda. — In many cases, it's better to ask for help.
• Fue un caso de identidad equivocada. — It was a case of mistaken identity.
• Si ese fuera el caso, estaríamos en problemas. — If that were the case, we would be in trouble.

While `caso` is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb `casar` (to marry), in the context of meanings related to 'to attend' or 'to listen', it exclusively appears as part of the common idiomatic expression `hacer caso a` or `hacerle caso a alguien/algo`, meaning 'to pay attention to', 'to heed', or 'to listen to'. Therefore, when you encounter `caso` conveying these senses, it is used within this phrasal verb.

• Yo no le hago caso a los rumores. — I don't pay attention to rumors.
• Si le hiciera caso a mi madre, todo sería más fácil. — If I listened to my mother, everything would be easier.
• ¿Por qué no me haces caso? — Why don't you listen to me?
• Nunca le hace caso a las advertencias. — He never pays attention to warnings.