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

📅 Published: November 17, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

nacer

verb • /[nah-SER]/

to be born

Example:

Mi sobrino nació el mes pasado.

My nephew was born last month.

🧠 What does nacer mean?

The verb 'nacer' primarily means 'to be born'. It describes the act of coming into the world. Beyond its literal meaning, 'nacer' is also used figuratively to indicate the origin or beginning of something, such as a river, an idea, a feeling, or a project. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object.

📚 Extra examples

  • Mi abuela nació en 1940.
    My grandmother was born in 1940.
  • El río Amazonas nace en los Andes peruanos.
    The Amazon River originates in the Peruvian Andes.
  • De esa conversación nació una gran idea para la empresa.
    From that conversation, a great idea for the company was born.
  • El cachorro recién nacido necesita mucho cuidado.
    The newborn puppy needs a lot of care.
  • Siento que he vuelto a nacer después de superar la enfermedad.
    I feel like I've been born again after overcoming the illness.

💡 Did You Know?

The verb 'nacer' comes from the Latin word 'nasci'. This root is shared with many other important Spanish words related to birth and origin, such as 'nacimiento' (birth), 'nación' (nation), 'nativo' (native), and 'naturaleza' (nature).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "nacer"

Synonyms: venir al mundo, originarse, proceder, surgir, empezar
Opposites: morir, fallecer, perecer, terminar

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to be born' in Spanish?
The most common and direct way to say 'to be born' in Spanish is with the verb 'nacer'.
How do you pronounce 'nacer' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is nah-SEHR. The 'c' is pronounced like an 's' in Latin America and most of Spain. In some parts of Spain, it has a 'th' sound (nah-THER).
How do you use 'nacer' in a sentence?
'Nacer' is used to state when or where someone or something was born or began. For example: 'El famoso escritor nació en un pequeño pueblo.' (The famous writer was born in a small town.)
What is the English translation of 'nacer'?
The primary English translation of 'nacer' is 'to be born'. It can also be translated as 'to originate', 'to spring from', or 'to arise' in figurative contexts.
Does 'nacer' change for gender or number?
As a verb, 'nacer' itself does not change for gender or number; it changes based on the subject and tense. However, its past participle, 'nacido', when used as an adjective (e.g., 'recién nacido'), must agree in gender and number: 'nacido' (masculine singular), 'nacida' (feminine singular), 'nacidos' (masculine plural), and 'nacidas' (feminine plural).
Is 'nacer' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'nacer' is a fundamental and very common verb in both spoken and written Spanish. It is essential for talking about personal history, origins, and beginnings.
Does 'nacer' have slang or double meanings?
'Nacer' does not have common slang meanings. Its main 'double meaning' is its figurative use for origins. The expression 'volver a nacer' (literally 'to be born again') is common and means to have a new lease on life, usually after surviving a dangerous situation.
Is 'nacer' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The use and meaning of 'nacer' are consistent across Spain and Latin America. The only notable difference is the regional pronunciation of the letter 'c'.
How do you conjugate 'nacer' in Spanish?
'Nacer' is an '-er' verb. It is mostly regular, but it has an irregular first-person singular form in the present tense: 'yo nazco'. Other forms follow regular patterns, for example in the preterite: 'nací', 'naciste', 'nació'.

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