crecer
/kɾeˈθeɾ/
The English verb "grow" is translated into Spanish as crecer.
Crecer is used for the growth of living things like people, animals and plants, as well as for abstract concepts like an economy or a feeling.
Meaning: (intransitive) to become bigger (verb)
Which one should you use?
Use crecer for the process of growing (intransitive), but use cultivar or hacer crecer if you are talking about growing a plant or a business (transitive).
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle crecido is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that has grown or is grown-up.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɾeˈθeɾ/
Did you know?
- The adjective crecido can be used colloquially to describe a person who has become arrogant or 'too big for their boots'.
- The phrase está creciendo can be used to describe a child who is suddenly having a growth spurt, often accompanied by the phrase está pegando el estirón.
- The English word 'crescent' shares its DNA with crecer, as both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to grow'.
Examples in context
- Tu pelo volverá a crecer.Your hair will grow back.This sentence is useful for using crecer regarding hair.Tatoeba #1686905 by Shishir, translation #1656219 by Spamster
- Tom se dejó crecer la barba.Tom let his beard grow.This sentence is useful for using crecer regarding a beard.Tatoeba #10092911 by manufrutos, translation #10104869 by CK
- Nada parece crecer en esta tierra.Nothing seems to grow in this soil.This sentence is useful for using crecer regarding plants in soil.Tatoeba #1396885 by marcelostockle, translation #57684 by CK
- Las flores crecen rápidamenteThe flowers grow quickly
- Desarrollé mis habilidades en el trabajoI grew my skills at work
- La población aumenta cada añoThe population grows every year
- Mi hermano se puso más grande durante las vacacionesMy brother grew bigger during the holidays
- El proyecto ha echado raíces en la comunidadThe project has taken root in the community
- Los árboles crecieron rápidamente después de la lluviaThe trees grew quickly after the rain
- La empresa aumentó sus ventas en un 20% este trimestreThe company grew its sales by 20% this quarter
- Los niños crecen tan rápido que a veces ni los reconocesKids grow so fast that sometimes you don't even recognize them
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at their garden plants.
- JavierEstas flores van a crecer mucho.These flowers are going to grow a lot.
- LucíaSí, necesitan más agua para crecer.Yes, they need more water to grow.
- JavierEspero que el jardín crezca pronto.I hope the garden grows soon.
- LucíaCon tu ayuda, crecerá muy bien.With your help, it will grow very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grow” translations and entries crecer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crecer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
