creare
To create in Latin is creare.
creare means to put something into existence. Other Latin verbs are used for specific types of creation: fingere is used when creating in the sense of shaping or forming something, while instituere is used for creating or establishing something with a specific purpose or intention.
Meaning: to put into existence (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The perfect indicative active form of creare is creavi (I created), and the perfect passive infinitive is creatum esse (to have been created).
Did you know?
- While creare is general, Romans used fingere for creating art. This is because fingere implies molding by hand, which is why it is the root of the English word 'fiction'.
- The Latin phrase creare ex nihilo means 'to create out of nothing'. This specific phrasing became a cornerstone of Western philosophical and religious debate regarding the origin of the universe.
- The word creare is closely related to the word crescere, which means 'to grow'. To the Romans, the act of creating was conceptually linked to the process of growth and increase.
Examples in context
- Quod non potes imaginari, creare non potes.You can't create something you can't imagine.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use creare in a negative context.Tatoeba #6310798 by RudeGuyGames, translation #6310290 by al_ex_an_der
- Deus omnia creavitGod created all things
- Vir artem fingitThe man creates art
- Divinitas mundum fecitDivinity created the world
- Imperium augustum instituitHe created the Augustan Empire
- Iuvenes scientiam gignere possuntYoung people can create knowledge
- Deus mundum creare potest.God can create the world.
- Artifex novam formam creare debet.The artist must create a new form.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Lucius are discussing a project.
- AureliaQuid vis hodie creare, Luci?What do you want to create today, Lucius?
- LuciusVolo statuam parvam creare.I want to create a small statue.
- AureliaId est idea optima.That is an excellent idea.
- LuciusGratias tibi ago, Aurelia.Thank you, Aurelia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry creare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
