criar a un niño
/kɾjaɾ a un niɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'raise a child' is translated into Spanish as criar a un niño.
This phrase describes the process of caring for a child and teaching them how to behave until they reach adulthood. While criar a un niño is common, you may also use educar a un niño if you want to emphasize the moral and social upbringing of the child.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb criar means to breed, to raise or to nurture. This verb is used for both humans and animals.
Which one should you use?
Criar is the standard verb for raising children, but it is also the standard verb used for breeding animals, such as criar ganado (raising livestock). In contrast, educar a un niño is a synonym that shifts the focus specifically toward the educational, moral and social aspects of upbringing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase educar a un hijo is widely used in both formal and informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase criar a un niño, the a is the personal 'a'. This is a grammatical requirement in Spanish when the direct object of a verb is a specific person.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɾjaɾ a un niɲo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Para criar a un niño hace falta todo un pueblo.It takes a village to raise a child.This sentence uses criar a un niño to illustrate the proverb that it takes a whole community to raise a child.Tatoeba #4984169 by Shishir, translation #4501618 by CK
- Los padres deben aprender cómo criar a un niño con amor y paciencia.Parents should learn how to raise a child with love and patience.
- Los valores y la educación son fundamentales para educar a un hijo correctamente.Values and education are fundamental to raise a child properly.
- Mi hermana mayor me ayudó a criar a mis chicos cuando era joven.My older sister helped me raise my kids when I was young.
- Ella quiere criar a un niño con valores.She wants to raise a child with values.
- Es difícil criar a un niño solo.It is difficult to raise a child alone.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing their future plans.
- Daniel¿Te gustaría criar a un niño en el campo?Would you like to raise a child in the countryside?
- MaríaSí, sería un lugar muy tranquilo para él.Yes, it would be a very quiet place for him.
- DanielTienes mucha razón, María.You are very right, María.
- MaríaSería una gran aventura para nosotros.It would be a great adventure for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, criar, niño, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
