creer
/kɾeˈeɾ/
To believe in Spanish is creer.
creer is used to express the act of accepting that something is true or that someone is telling the truth.
Which one should you use?
While creer is used for accepting something as true, it is distinct from the phrase creer en, which means to believe in someone or something, typically in the sense of having faith in them.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can attach pronouns to the end of the infinitive creer to specify whom or what you believe. To say 'believe him' or 'believe her', add the indirect object pronoun le to the end, forming creerle. To say 'believe it' when referring to a fact or a situation, add the direct object pronoun lo to the end, forming creerlo.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɾeˈeɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, saying no me lo creo does not just mean you doubt a fact, but is frequently used as an exclamation of shock or indignation, similar to 'I can't believe this!'
- Using creo que (I believe that) is a strategic social tool in many Spanish-speaking cultures to soften a disagreement and avoid appearing aggressive.
- The verb creer is the ancestor of the English word 'credit', as both stem from the Latin 'crēdere', meaning to trust or entrust.
Examples in context
- No sé qué creer.I don't know what to believe.This sentence shows how to use the infinitive when expressing uncertainty.Tatoeba #2246789 by Shishir, translation #2240848 by Hybrid
- Yo solía creer eso.I used to believe that.This sentence demonstrates using the verb to describe a past belief.Tatoeba #2828831 by marcelostockle, translation #2546805 by CK
- Me negué a creerle.I refused to believe him.This sentence shows how to use the form creerle to express believing a person.Tatoeba #3209150 by Shishir, translation #9741467 by DJ_Saidez
- Creo que la educación es fundamental para el desarrollo.I believe that education is fundamental for development.
- Creo que mis amigos son geniales.I believe my friends are awesome.
- No creo que sea una buena idea.I don't believe it's a good idea.
- Creo que la justicia debe prevalecer en todo momento.I believe that justice should prevail at all times.
- 122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing a news story.
- María¿Tú puedes creer lo que dice el periódico?Can you believe what the newspaper says?
- AlejandroNo, yo no puedo creer eso.No, I cannot believe that.
- MaríaEs difícil creer la verdad en este caso.It is difficult to believe the truth in this case.
- AlejandroTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry creer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries creer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
