Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| crescere | /ˈkreʃ.ʃe.re/ |
| ingrossarsi | /in.ɡrosˈsar.si/ |
| svilupparsi | /zvi.lupˈpar.si/ |
The word crescere is used for biological growth, such as a person maturing or an organism increasing in size or height. It can also refer to increasing in size generally.
Which one should you use?
While crescere is the general term for growing in size, height or age, other forms are more specific. Use ingrossarsi when something grows specifically in thickness, girth or volume, like a swelling. Use svilupparsi when referring to growth in the sense of development, such as an idea, a plot or a process unfolding.
How does it change in a sentence?
crescere is an intransitive verb. It can be used with the auxiliary verb essere (to be), which is common for biological growth or with avere (to have) in certain contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word crescere has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkreʃ.ʃe.re/.
Did you know?
- While svilupparsi means 'to develop', it is also the technical term used in photography for developing a roll of film.
- The English word 'crescent', referring to the growing moon, is a direct relative of the Italian verb crescere.
- The word ingrossarsi is used not only for physical swelling but also to describe a river that has become 'swollen' after heavy rains.
Examples in context
- È ora di crescere.It's time to grow up.This sentence is useful for the phrase 'It's time to grow up.' using crescere.Tatoeba #4515520 by Guybrush88, translation #5753208 by CM
- C'è spazio per crescere.There's room to grow.This sentence is useful for the phrase 'There's room to grow.' using crescere.Tatoeba #7985231 by Guybrush88, translation #5752392 by CM
- Non crescere. È una trappola!Don't grow up. It's a trap!This sentence is useful for the phrase 'Don't grow up. It's a trap!' using crescere.Tatoeba #2688315 by Guybrush88, translation #1812698 by Imp
- I bambini crescono così velocemente.Children grow so fast
- L'azienda sta incrementando le sue venditeThe company is growing its sales
- Cresci!Grow up!
- Mia nipotina sta diventando sempre più grande.My little niece is growing so fast
- I pomodori stanno spuntando.The tomatoes are starting to grow
- La pianta sta crescendo verso il sole.The plant is growing towards the sun.
- Il suo talento è cresciuto nel tempo.His talent grew over time.
- Dobbiamo aumentare la nostra base clienti.We need to grow our customer base.
- La popolazione sta crescendo rapidamente.The population is growing rapidly.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are looking at an old photo of a child.
- FrancescoGuarda come è riuscito a crescere!Look how he managed to grow!
- MartinaSì, è diventato molto alto.Yes, he has become very tall.
- FrancescoTutti i bambini crescono velocemente.All children grow quickly.
- MartinaHai ragione, Francesco.You are right, Francesco.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grow” translations and entries crescere, ingrossarsi, svilupparsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crescere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
