creciente
/kɾeˈθjente/
The Spanish word for crescent is creciente.
The word creciente is most commonly used as an adjective to describe a shape or the phase of the moon. For example, it is the term used in the phrase luna creciente to mean the waxing crescent moon. While it can function as a noun meaning a crescent or a growing thing, its primary role is descriptive.
Meaning: a shape in a crescent (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word creciente is the present participle of the verb crecer (to grow), so it literally means growing.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/kɾeˈθjente/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you do not use creciente to describe a 'crescent roll' or 'croissant'. Instead, you use the word media luna, which literally means 'half moon'.
- The word creciente shares a root with the English word 'increase'. Both come from the Latin root meaning to grow, making 'increase' a distant relative of 'crescent'.
- If you are describing the moon, the word creciente is the opposite of menguante. While creciente describes the moon as it grows, menguante describes the moon as it 'wanes' or diminishes.
Examples in context
- Durante la celebración de Año Nuevo, se podía ver una hermosa media luna en el cielo oscuro.During the New Year's celebration, a beautiful crescent could be seen in the dark sky.
- Vamos a acampar en la playa y disfrutar de una noche bajo las estrellas y la medialuna.Let's go camping on the beach and enjoy a night under the stars and the crescent moon.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at the night sky.
- MateoMira la luna, María.Look at the moon, María.
- MaríaSí, es una creciente muy bonita.Yes, it is a very beautiful crescent.
- Mateo¿Te gusta más así o llena?Do you like it more like this or full?
- MaríaPrefiero cuando es una creciente.I prefer it when it is a crescent.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry creciente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
