credere
/ˈkre.de.re/
To believe in Italian is credere.
credere is the standard and most widely used Italian verb for 'to believe'. You can use the phrase Io credo to say 'I believe'. While credere is the primary term, you may encounter sostenere when the emphasis is on supporting or maintaining a specific belief or pensare in informal contexts where it can be used interchangeably with credere. If you need the noun form to refer to a belief or a creed, use credenza.
Meaning: to accept as true (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal, official or professional settings, the verb ritenere is often used instead of credere. In informal conversations, pensare can be used interchangeably with credere.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition used after credere changes based on what you are believing. Use the preposition a when you believe a person or a specific thing (e.g., believing someone's words). However, use the preposition in when expressing belief in the existence or power of something, such as God or ghosts.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkre.de.re/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word for 'belief' or 'superstition', credenza, can also refer to a piece of furniture, specifically a sideboard or a cupboard.
- The Italian word credere shares the same Latin root as the English words 'credit' and 'credible', linking the act of believing to the concept of trust and financial reliability.
- In Italian, the phrase non ci credo is frequently used as an exclamation of shock or disbelief, similar to saying 'no way' or 'I can't believe it' in English.
Examples in context
- Non credere a Tom.Don't believe Tom.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of credere with a person.Tatoeba #6040655 by Guybrush88, translation #2235689 by CK
- Non credere a loro!Don't believe them!This sentence is useful for practicing the use of credere with a group of people.Tatoeba #13355079 by Guybrush88, translation #13353945 by frpzzd
- Tu non ci crederesti.You wouldn't believe it.This sentence is useful for seeing a conditional form of credere.Tatoeba #2737828 by Guybrush88, translation #2545664 by CK
- Ritengo che sia veroI believe it is true
- Mi fido di lui/leiI believe in him/her
- Credo che il talento vada coltivato.I believe talent should be nurtured.
- Penso che sia arrivato il momento di cambiare.I believe the moment to change has come.
- 479 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Martina are discussing a news report.
- AlessandroÈ difficile credere a questa notizia.It is hard to believe this news.
- MartinaIo non voglio credere che sia vero.I do not want to believe it is true.
- AlessandroPerché non ci credi, Martina?Why don't you believe it, Martina?
- MartinaSembra tutto troppo incredibile.It all seems too unbelievable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “believe” translations and entries credere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries credere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
