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crecer means to grow — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 10, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

crecer

verb • /[creh-SER]/

to grow

Example:

Los niños crecen muy rápido.

Children grow very fast.

🧠 What does crecer mean?

The verb 'crecer' means 'to grow'. It is used broadly to describe an increase in size, quantity, or intensity. This applies to the physical growth of living beings like people, animals, and plants, as well as to figurative or abstract concepts such as personal development, economic expansion, or the swelling of a river. 'Crecer' is an irregular verb, with a 'c' to 'zc' change in the first-person singular of the present tense ('yo crezco') and in the present subjunctive.

📚 Extra examples

  • Los niños crecen muy rápido durante la adolescencia.
    Children grow very fast during adolescence.
  • La economía del país creció un 2% el último trimestre.
    The country's economy grew by 2% last quarter.
  • Después de la tormenta, el nivel del río creció peligrosamente.
    After the storm, the river level rose dangerously.
  • He crecido mucho como persona desde que empecé a viajar.
    I have grown a lot as a person since I started traveling.

💡 Did You Know?

The verb 'crecer' belongs to a group of Spanish verbs ending in '-cer' (when preceded by a vowel) that change the 'c' to 'zc' in the first-person singular of the present indicative ('yo crezco') and in the present subjunctive. Other common verbs in this group include 'conocer' (conozco) and 'agradecer' (agradezco).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "crecer"

Synonyms: aumentar, desarrollarse, incrementarse, madurar
Opposites: disminuir, decrecer, reducir, encoger

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to grow' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to grow' in Spanish is 'crecer'. For the specific action of cultivating plants or crops, the verb 'cultivar' is often used.
How do you pronounce 'crecer' in Spanish?
The word 'crecer' is pronounced /kɾeˈθeɾ/ in Castilian Spanish (with a 'th' sound for the 'c') and /kɾeˈseɾ/ in Latin American Spanish (with an 's' sound).
How do you use 'crecer' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'Las plantas necesitan luz y agua para crecer'. This means 'Plants need light and water to grow'.
What is the English translation of 'crecer'?
The primary English translation of 'crecer' is 'to grow'. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'to rise', 'to increase', 'to swell', or 'to grow up'.
Does 'crecer' change for gender or number?
No, as a verb, 'crecer' does not change for gender or number. It is conjugated to match the subject and tense. For example: 'yo crezco' (I grow), 'ellos crecen' (they grow).
Is 'crecer' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'crecer' is a very common and essential verb used frequently in both everyday conversation and formal writing to discuss growth in all its forms.
Does 'crecer' have slang or double meanings?
Generally, 'crecer' does not have slang meanings. A notable expression is 'crecerse ante la adversidad', which means to rise to the occasion or perform better when faced with challenges.
Is 'crecer' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and use of 'crecer' are consistent across Spain and Latin America. The only significant difference is the pronunciation of the 'c' before 'e', which is a broader regional distinction.
How do you conjugate 'crecer' in Spanish?
'Crecer' is an '-er' verb with a spelling change in the first person present indicative ('yo crezco') and throughout the present subjunctive ('crezca, crezcas...'). In most other tenses, such as the preterite ('crecí, creciste...') and imperfect ('crecía, crecías...'), it follows regular conjugation patterns.

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