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A2 verb 12분 분량

criar

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 criar 30초 만에

설명 criar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'criar' means 'to raise' or 'to bring up' a child or a pet. It is a regular -ar verb, but it has a little accent mark on the 'i' in some present tense forms like 'yo crío' (I raise). At this stage, focus on simple sentences like 'Yo crío a mi perro' (I raise my dog) or 'Mi madre cría a mi hermano' (My mother raises my brother). Remember the 'a' after the verb when you talk about people or animals you care about. It is a very useful word for talking about your family and your home life. You might also see it as 'criado', which means 'raised'. For example, 'Soy criado en Londres' (I was raised in London), though beginners usually just say 'Soy de Londres'. Think of 'criar' as the action of taking care of a small living thing until it gets big.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the A2 level, you should start using 'criar' in the past tense to talk about your own upbringing. Use the reflexive form 'criarse' to say where you grew up: 'Me crié en un pueblo pequeño' (I grew up in a small town). You should also learn the word 'malcriado', which describes a spoiled child. At this level, you can distinguish between 'criar' (the whole process of raising) and 'cuidar' (taking care of someone for a short time). You will also encounter 'criar' when talking about animals in a simple way, like 'El granjero cría pollos' (The farmer raises chickens). Pay attention to the accent marks in the present tense (crío, crías, cría, crían) to ensure your pronunciation is correct. This level is about expanding the contexts in which you use the word beyond just your immediate family.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'criar' in the subjunctive and conditional tenses. For example, 'Si tuviera un hijo, lo criaría en el campo' (If I had a son, I would raise him in the countryside). You should also understand the difference between 'criar' and 'educar'. While 'educar' is about manners and school, 'criar' is the physical and emotional act of raising. You might start hearing common idioms like 'Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos', which warns about the dangers of helping ungrateful people. At this level, you can also use 'criar' in more abstract ways, such as 'criar fama' (to build a reputation). You should also be aware of the noun 'crianza', which means 'upbringing' or 'breeding'. This word is also used to describe the aging process of wine, which is a common topic of conversation in Spain.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'criar' in complex sentences and understand its nuances in different Spanish-speaking regions. You might discuss the 'estilos de crianza' (parenting styles) or the sociological impact of how children are 'criados'. You should be able to use 'criar' to talk about professional animal breeding or the cultivation of specific plants in a more detailed way. You will also understand more complex idiomatic expressions and be able to use the word in formal writing, such as an essay about family dynamics. At this level, you should be precise with your prepositions and the personal 'a'. You might also encounter the term 'ama de cría' (wet nurse) in historical texts or literature and understand its cultural significance. Your ability to use 'criar' should now reflect a deep understanding of the long-term commitment it implies.

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At the C1 level, 'criar' becomes a tool for nuanced expression. You might use it in literary or academic contexts to describe the 'nurture' side of the 'nature vs. nurture' debate. You should be familiar with its less common meanings, such as 'criar moho' (to grow mold) or 'criar malvas' (a humorous way to say someone is dead and buried, literally 'growing mallows'). Your use of the word should be effortless and grammatically perfect across all moods and tenses. You can discuss the evolution of the word from its Latin root 'creare' and how it diverged from the modern Spanish 'crear'. You should also be able to analyze the cultural implications of 'crianza' in different Hispanic societies, such as the role of the extended family in raising children. Your vocabulary should include related technical terms like 'criadero' or 'recría'.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'criar' and its various connotations. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the human condition and the influence of upbringing on the psyche. You understand the most obscure idioms and regionalisms associated with the word. You can write sophisticated prose where 'criar' is used metaphorically to describe the development of ideas, cultures, or political movements. You are aware of the subtle differences in how 'criar' is used in legal or medical Spanish compared to everyday speech. Your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, and you can play with its sounds and meanings in creative writing or poetry. You fully appreciate the historical weight of the word and its central place in the Spanish language's conceptualization of growth and life.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

criar 30초 만에

Criar means to raise, bring up, or breed living beings like children, animals, or pets.
It is a regular -ar verb but requires accent marks in some present tense forms (crío).
It differs from 'educar' (manners/school) and 'crear' (to create something new).
Commonly used reflexively (criarse) to say where someone grew up or was raised.

The Spanish verb criar is a fundamental word that English speakers often encounter early in their journey, yet its depth extends far beyond a simple dictionary translation. At its core, criar means 'to bring up,' 'to raise,' or 'to rear.' While in English we might use different verbs depending on whether we are talking about a child, a puppy, or a head of cattle, Spanish often consolidates these actions under the umbrella of criar. It encompasses the physical act of nourishing, the emotional labor of nurturing, and the logistical effort of providing for a living being's growth from infancy to maturity.

Human Context: When applied to humans, it refers to the entire process of parenting. It is not just about 'educating' (which in Spanish often refers specifically to manners and schooling), but about the holistic act of raising a child. A mother might say, 'Estoy criando a mis hijos sola,' meaning she is raising her children alone.

Es una gran responsabilidad criar a un niño en el mundo actual.

Animal Husbandry: In rural or agricultural settings, criar is the standard term for breeding or raising livestock. Whether it is chickens, cows, or horses, the verb denotes the care and feeding required for these animals to thrive.

Beyond the physical, criar can also appear in metaphorical contexts. For instance, 'criar fama' refers to building a reputation. There is also a biological sense where one might 'criar' a physical ailment or a habit, though this is less common for beginners. The word carries a sense of long-term commitment. You don't 'criar' something in a day; it is a process that takes years of dedication and patience. In Spanish-speaking cultures, the way someone was 'criado' (raised) is often seen as a defining characteristic of their personality and values, leading to common phrases like 'bien criado' (well-bred/polite) or 'malcriado' (spoiled/rude).

Mi abuelo solía criar ovejas en las montañas de Galicia.

The Nuance of Nature: In some regions, you might hear 'criar' used for plants, though 'cultivar' is more common. However, if a plant is growing wild or if you are specifically nurturing it from a seedling, 'criar' can still fit the bill, emphasizing the care given to the living organism.

No es fácil criar a un cachorro cuando trabajas todo el día.

Ese niño está muy bien criado; siempre dice por favor y gracias.

Using criar correctly involves understanding its grammatical requirements, particularly the 'personal a' when referring to people or pets. Because criar is a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object—the person or animal being raised. In Spanish, when the direct object is a specific person, we must use the preposition 'a'. For example, 'Crío a mi sobrino' (I am raising my nephew). Without the 'a', the sentence would feel grammatically incomplete to a native speaker.

The Reflexive Form: While 'criar' is mostly used transitively, you will often see it in the passive voice or in the reflexive 'criarse' to describe where someone grew up. 'Me crié en Madrid' (I was raised/I grew up in Madrid) is a very common way to state your origins. This reflexive use shifts the focus from the person doing the raising to the person who experienced the upbringing.

¿Dónde te criaste tú antes de venir a la ciudad?

Conjugation Patterns: 'Criar' is a regular -ar verb, but learners should be careful with the stress. In the present tense, the 'i' remains unstressed unless it is the syllable receiving the natural accent of the conjugation. For example: yo crío, tú crías, él cría, nosotros criamos, ellos crían. Notice the accent mark on the 'i' in 'crío', 'crías', 'cría', and 'crían'. This is crucial for both spelling and pronunciation, as it breaks the diphthong and ensures the 'i' is heard clearly.

In more complex sentence structures, criar can be followed by adverbs that describe the quality of the upbringing. You might 'criar con amor' (raise with love), 'criar con rigor' (raise with rigor), or 'criar en libertad' (raise in freedom). These modifiers help specify the parenting style or the environment. Furthermore, the past participle 'criado' functions frequently as an adjective. A 'bien criado' person is someone with good manners, whereas a 'malcriado' person is a spoiled brat. This adjectival use is perhaps even more common in daily conversation than the verb itself.

Mis padres me criaron para ser una persona independiente.

Professional Usage: In the context of livestock, you might see 'criar ganado' (to raise cattle). This usage is professional and technical. A 'criadero' is a breeding ground or a kennel, showing how the root of the verb extends into nouns that define professional spaces.

El granjero cría caballos de carreras en su rancho.

No deberías malcriar a tus hijos dándoles todo lo que piden.

You will hear criar in a variety of settings, ranging from intimate family gatherings to agricultural documentaries. In a domestic setting, it is the primary word used when discussing children's growth and the challenges of parenthood. If you are watching a Spanish soap opera (telenovela), you might hear a dramatic revelation like '¡Yo te crié como si fueras mi propio hijo!' (I raised you as if you were my own son!). This highlights the emotional weight of the word—it implies a bond that goes beyond mere biology.

Rural Environments: If you travel to the countryside in Spain or Latin America, 'criar' is everywhere. Farmers talk about 'criar cerdos' (raising pigs) or 'criar aves de corral' (raising poultry). It is a matter-of-fact term for their livelihood. You might also hear it in the context of wine; 'crianza' is a specific category of Spanish wine that has been 'raised' or aged in oak barrels for a certain period.

Este vino tiene dos años de crianza en barrica de roble.

Social and Political Discourse: In news reports or sociological discussions, 'criar' is used to discuss demographic trends. You might hear about the 'coste de criar a un hijo' (the cost of raising a child) or policies intended to help families 'criar a sus hijos en un entorno seguro'. Here, the word takes on a more formal, statistical tone, yet it remains the most natural choice for the concept.

In the world of pets, criar is also the dominant term. At a park, a dog owner might ask another, '¿Es difícil criar a un Husky?' (Is it hard to raise a Husky?). It covers everything from house-training to feeding and socialization. Furthermore, in historical contexts, you might read about 'amas de cría' (wet nurses), who were women hired to breastfeed and raise the children of wealthy families. This shows the long history of the word in the social fabric of Spanish-speaking societies. Whether it's the 'crianza' of a child, a dog, or a bottle of wine, the word signifies a process of development guided by external care.

Dicen que para criar a un niño hace falta toda una tribu.

Scientific and Biological Usage: In biology, 'criar' can refer to the way an organism develops or how a laboratory 'rears' specimens for study. While 'reproducirse' is used for the biological act of reproduction, 'criar' is used for the subsequent care of the offspring.

En este laboratorio crían insectos para estudiar su comportamiento.

Mi madre siempre dice que criar hijos es la tarea más difícil del mundo.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with criar is confusing it with two other very similar-looking Spanish verbs: crear (to create) and creer (to believe). Because they all share a similar phonetic and orthographic skeleton, it is easy to slip up. For example, saying 'Yo creo a mi hijo' actually means 'I believe my son' (or 'I create my son' in a very strange theological sense), when you likely meant 'Yo crío a mi hijo' (I raise my son). Paying close attention to the vowel 'i' is the key to avoiding this embarrassing mix-up.

The 'Educar' vs. 'Criar' Trap: Another common error is the semantic overlap with 'educar'. In English, 'education' usually refers to school. In Spanish, 'educar' is often synonymous with 'teaching manners' or 'upbringing' in a moral sense. However, 'criar' is broader and more physical. You 'criar' a child by feeding them and keeping them safe; you 'educar' them by teaching them to say 'thank you'. Using 'educar' when you mean the physical act of raising someone is a common 'false friend' nuance error.

Mucha gente confunde educar con simplemente criar.

Forgetting the Personal 'A': As mentioned before, learners often forget the 'a' when raising people. Saying 'Crío mis hijos' sounds like 'I raise my children' in English, but in Spanish, it must be 'Crío a mis hijos'. This is a rule that applies to all verbs with human direct objects, but it is particularly frequent with 'criar'.

Furthermore, some learners try to use 'levantar' to mean 'to raise a child' because 'levantar' means 'to lift' or 'to raise' (like raising a hand). This is a direct translation error from English. In Spanish, you never 'levantar' a child in the sense of parenting. You 'criar' them. Similarly, 'subir' (to go up/to raise) is also incorrect in this context. Using the wrong verb for 'raising' can lead to significant confusion or laughter, as 'levantar a un niño' literally means picking a child up off the ground. Always stick to criar for the long-term process of upbringing.

Es un error decir 'levantar a los hijos' cuando quieres decir criar.

Misusing 'Malcriar': Sometimes learners use 'malcriar' to mean 'to raise badly' in a general sense, but it specifically means 'to spoil'. If a child is raised in a poor environment, you wouldn't say they were 'malcriados' (spoiled); you would say they were 'criados en la pobreza'. 'Malcriar' always implies over-indulgence.

No confunda criar con crear; uno es para niños y el otro para arte.

El perro fue criado en una granja, no en una tienda de mascotas.

While criar is the most versatile word for 'raising,' several other verbs can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these alternatives will make your Spanish sound more sophisticated and precise. The most common synonym is educar, but as we've discussed, it leans more toward moral and academic instruction. Another common alternative is crecer (to grow), though it is intransitive. You don't 'crecer' a child; the child 'crece' (grows). However, the phrase 'hacer crecer' (to make grow) can sometimes overlap with the idea of raising.

Cuidar (To Care For): 'Cuidar' is often used interchangeably with 'criar' when talking about the day-to-day supervision of children or animals. While 'criar' implies the long-term process of development, 'cuidar' focuses on the immediate act of keeping someone safe and healthy. A babysitter 'cuida' children but doesn't 'cría' them.

Ella cuida a los niños por la tarde, pero sus padres los crían.

Alimentar (To Feed/Nourish): In a biological or very literal sense, 'alimentar' is a component of 'criar'. If you are talking specifically about providing food to livestock or an infant, 'alimentar' or 'nutrir' might be more specific. However, 'criar' is still the broader, more natural term for the whole process.

In agricultural contexts, cultivar is the preferred term for plants and crops. While you can 'criar' a single plant in a pot with great care, a farmer 'cultiva' wheat or corn. For animals, producir is sometimes used in a commercial sense (to produce livestock), but 'criar' remains the more human and common term. In formal writing, you might see procrear (to procreate), which refers strictly to the biological act of having offspring, not the subsequent raising of them. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate different social and professional environments in the Spanish-speaking world.

Es mejor cultivar tus propias verduras que comprarlas.

Instruir (To Instruct): This is a very formal synonym for 'educar'. It is used when referring to technical training or formal schooling. You wouldn't use it for a parent raising a child unless you were being very clinical or specific about teaching them a skill.

El objetivo es instruir a los jóvenes en las artes marciales.

Mis tíos se dedican a criar ganado vacuno en el norte.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The English word 'create' and the Spanish word 'criar' are cousins! They both come from the same Latin root, but 'criar' focused on biological growth while 'crear' focused on making new things.

발음 가이드

UK /kɾiˈaɾ/

US /kɾiˈɑɾ/

The stress is on the last syllable: cri-AR.

라임이 맞는 단어

fiar liar guiar espiar enviar variar ampliar confiar

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing it as 'creer' (kray-AIR).
Pronouncing it as 'crear' (kray-AR).
Using an English 'r' instead of a Spanish tap.
Failing to put the accent on the 'i' in 'crío'.
Blending the 'ia' into one syllable in the infinitive (it should be distinct).

난이도

독해 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, but watch out for similar words like 'crear'.

쓰기 3/5

Requires remembering the accent marks in the present tense (crío).

말하기 3/5

Needs correct stress on the final syllable in the infinitive.

듣기 4/5

Can be easily confused with 'creo' or 'crear' when spoken quickly.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

hijo padre animal crecer cuidar

다음에 배울 것

educar cultivar alimentar desarrollar madurar

고급

procrear amamantar criadero crianza nodriza

알아야 할 문법

Personal 'a'

Crío a mi hijo.

Reflexive pronouns for origins

Me crié en Madrid.

Accent marks on 'i' to break diphthongs

Yo crío (not crio).

Past participle as an adjective

Un niño bien criado.

Subjunctive with hope/desire

Espero que críes bien a tu perro.

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수준별 예문

Yo crío a mi perro con mucho amor.

I raise my dog with a lot of love.

Notice the 'a' before 'mi perro' because it is a pet.

Mi tía cría tres hijos.

My aunt is raising three children.

Cría is the 3rd person singular present of criar.

Ellos crían pollos en su casa.

They raise chickens at their house.

No 'a' is needed here because 'pollos' is plural and non-specific.

¿Tú crías gatos?

Do you raise cats?

Simple question in the present tense.

Nosotros criamos a nuestro sobrino.

We are raising our nephew.

Personal 'a' is used for a specific person (nephew).

Ella cría flores hermosas.

She grows beautiful flowers.

In some contexts, criar can be used for plants.

El gato cría a sus gatitos.

The cat raises her kittens.

Animals can also be the subject of 'criar'.

Quiero criar un hámster.

I want to raise a hamster.

Infinitive form after the verb 'querer'.

Me crié en un pueblo muy pequeño.

I was raised in a very small town.

Reflexive 'criarse' used in the preterite tense.

Mis abuelos criaron a mi padre.

My grandparents raised my father.

Preterite tense for a completed action in the past.

No es bueno malcriar a los niños.

It is not good to spoil children.

Malcriar is a compound of mal + criar.

Él fue criado por su hermana mayor.

He was raised by his older sister.

Passive voice construction (ser + past participle).

¿Dónde se criaron tus primos?

Where were your cousins raised?

Reflexive preterite for 'they'.

Estamos criando a este cachorro para ser guía.

We are raising this puppy to be a guide dog.

Present progressive (estar + gerund).

Mi madre me crió con mucha paciencia.

My mother raised me with a lot of patience.

Preterite tense with a direct object pronoun 'me'.

Él cría vacas en su rancho.

He raises cows on his ranch.

Standard present tense usage for livestock.

Espero que críes a tus hijos con valores.

I hope you raise your children with values.

Present subjunctive after 'espero que'.

Si tuviera dinero, criaría caballos.

If I had money, I would raise horses.

Conditional tense in a hypothetical 'si' clause.

La crianza de los hijos es un desafío constante.

The raising of children is a constant challenge.

Crianza is the noun form of the verb criar.

Me alegra que te criaras en un ambiente sano.

I'm glad you were raised in a healthy environment.

Imperfect subjunctive after an expression of emotion.

Ese vino ha tenido una crianza de doce meses.

That wine has had an aging of twelve months.

Crianza refers to the aging process of wine.

No quiero que malcríes al perro dándole comida de la mesa.

I don't want you to spoil the dog by giving him food from the table.

Subjunctive form of 'malcriar'.

Siempre decía que quería criar a su familia en el extranjero.

She always said she wanted to raise her family abroad.

Infinitive used as the object of 'quería'.

Se nota que ha sido bien criado.

You can tell he has been well-raised.

Passive voice with 'bien' as an adverb.

La sociedad influye en cómo criamos a las nuevas generaciones.

Society influences how we raise new generations.

Present tense used in a general sociological statement.

Es fundamental criar a los niños en un entorno de respeto.

It is fundamental to raise children in an environment of respect.

Infinitive used as the subject of the sentence.

Muchos granjeros han dejado de criar cerdos por la crisis.

Many farmers have stopped raising pigs because of the crisis.

Present perfect tense.

El gobierno debería apoyar a las familias que crían a hijos con discapacidad.

The government should support families raising children with disabilities.

Relative clause with the present tense.

Se crió rodeado de libros y música clásica.

He was raised surrounded by books and classical music.

Reflexive preterite with a descriptive phrase.

Es difícil criar a un adolescente rebelde.

It is difficult to raise a rebellious teenager.

Infinitive used after 'es difícil'.

Ella se dedica a criar especies en peligro de extinción.

She is dedicated to breeding endangered species.

Professional context for 'criar'.

Habían criado a sus hijos para que fueran independientes.

They had raised their children so that they would be independent.

Past perfect followed by the imperfect subjunctive.

La dicotomía entre lo innato y lo criado sigue siendo objeto de debate.

The dichotomy between nature and nurture continues to be a subject of debate.

Using 'lo criado' to represent the concept of nurture.

Cría fama y échate a dormir, como dice el refrán.

Build a reputation and then you can rest, as the saying goes.

Imperative mood used in a famous proverb.

El autor se crió en la posguerra, lo que marcó su obra.

The author was raised in the post-war period, which marked his work.

Reflexive preterite in a biographical context.

No permitas que la amargura críe raíces en tu corazón.

Don't allow bitterness to take root in your heart.

Metaphorical use of 'criar' in the subjunctive.

Se han invertido millones en criar ganado de alta calidad genética.

Millions have been invested in breeding high genetic quality livestock.

Passive 'se' with the infinitive.

La nodriza fue la encargada de criar a los infantes reales.

The wet nurse was in charge of raising the royal infants.

Historical use of 'criar' with the preposition 'a'.

Es asombroso cómo algunas aves crían a los polluelos de otras especies.

It's amazing how some birds raise the chicks of other species.

Biological observation in the present tense.

Me crié bajo la estricta disciplina de un internado.

I was raised under the strict discipline of a boarding school.

Reflexive preterite with a prepositional phrase.

La impronta de haber sido criado en el exilio es indeleble.

The imprint of having been raised in exile is indelible.

Perfect infinitive in the passive voice.

El ecosistema permite que ciertas bacterias se críen en condiciones extremas.

The ecosystem allows certain bacteria to thrive in extreme conditions.

Scientific use of 'criarse' in the subjunctive.

Aquel hombre ya está criando malvas en el cementerio local.

That man is already pushing up daisies in the local cemetery.

Idiomatic expression 'criar malvas' (to be dead).

La novela explora la psique de un personaje criado en la opulencia pero carente de afecto.

The novel explores the psyche of a character raised in opulence but lacking affection.

Past participle used as an adjective with a contrastive clause.

No es lo mismo criar que simplemente engendrar.

Raising is not the same as simply fathering/begetting.

Substantive use of infinitives to compare concepts.

El vino de gran reserva requiere una crianza meticulosa y prolongada.

Gran reserva wine requires meticulous and prolonged aging.

Noun 'crianza' in a technical oenological context.

Se crió en el seno de una familia de intelectuales comprometidos.

He was raised within a family of committed intellectuals.

Reflexive preterite with a sophisticated prepositional phrase.

La capacidad de criar a la prole es un instinto básico de supervivencia.

The ability to raise offspring is a basic survival instinct.

Formal use of 'prole' (offspring) with 'criar'.

자주 쓰는 조합

criar hijos

criar ganado

criar a mano

criar fama

criar malvas

bien criado

mal criado

criar pollos

criar con rigor

criar en libertad

자주 쓰는 구문

Me crié en...

— Used to say where you grew up. It is the most natural way to state your origin story.

Me crié en un barrio humilde de Sevilla.

Criar a solas

— To raise a child as a single parent. It emphasizes the individual effort.

Mi madre nos crió a solas a mis tres hermanos y a mí.

Criar con amor

— To raise someone with affection and care. A common positive description.

Es importante criar a los animales con amor y respeto.

Amas de cría

— Wet nurses; women who historically breastfed and raised others' children. A historical term.

En el siglo XIX, las familias ricas tenían amas de cría.

Estilo de crianza

— Parenting style. A term used in psychology and modern discussions about family.

Cada familia tiene su propio estilo de crianza.

Vino de crianza

— A specific category of aged wine in Spain. It indicates a certain quality level.

Pidamos un vino de crianza para acompañar la cena.

Criar para el futuro

— To raise someone with their future success and well-being in mind.

Estamos criando a nuestros hijos para el futuro.

Criar en cautividad

— To breed animals in captivity, often for conservation or study.

Es difícil criar pandas en cautividad.

Criar sospechas

— To give rise to or foster suspicions. A more abstract and figurative use.

Su comportamiento extraño empezó a criar sospechas.

Criar cuervos

— Short for the proverb about ingratitude. Used to describe someone who helps those who will eventually hurt them.

Le dio todo y ahora él ni le habla; está criando cuervos.

자주 혼동되는 단어

criar vs crear

Means 'to create'. Easy to mix up due to spelling. Remember: 'i' for infant (criar).

criar vs creer

Means 'to believe'. The 'ee' sound vs 'ia' sound is the main difference.

criar vs levantar

Means 'to raise' (physically lifting). Never use for parenting.

관용어 및 표현

"Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos"

— If you raise ungrateful people, they will eventually turn against you and hurt you.

Le pagué la carrera y ahora me demanda; cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.

informal/proverb

"Criar malvas"

— To be dead and buried. Similar to 'pushing up daisies' in English.

No te preocupes por él, ya está criando malvas hace años.

informal/humorous

"Criar fama y echarse a dormir"

— Once you have gained a good reputation, you can stop working hard because people will still think well of you.

Él ya no se esfuerza en el trabajo, cría fama y échate a dormir.

informal/cynical

"Criar moho"

— To grow mold or to be left unused for a long time. It can refer to objects or skills.

Ese libro en la estantería está criando moho.

informal

"Criar barriga"

— To develop a belly or gain weight, usually from a sedentary lifestyle.

Desde que dejó el fútbol, ha empezado a criar barriga.

informal

"Bien criado"

— Well-mannered, polite, and having received a good upbringing.

Es un chico muy bien criado, siempre saluda a los vecinos.

neutral

"Malcriado"

— Spoiled, rude, or having received a poor upbringing (too much indulgence).

No seas malcriado y pide perdón ahora mismo.

neutral

"Criar raíces"

— To settle down in a place for a long time or to become deeply established.

Llevo diez años aquí y ya he criado raíces.

informal

"Criar para la vida"

— To raise someone so they are capable of handling the challenges of the world.

Mi objetivo como padre es criar para la vida, no para el momento.

neutral

"Criar cuervos"

— To foster something that will eventually be destructive.

Al permitir esas mentiras, estás criando cuervos.

metaphorical

혼동하기 쉬운

criar vs crear

Similar spelling and both come from 'creare'.

Crear is for making things (art, problems); criar is for nurturing life.

Yo creo arte, pero crío a mi hijo.

criar vs educar

Both relate to childhood.

Educar is about manners and school; criar is about physical care and growth.

Lo criaron con buena comida y lo educaron con buenos libros.

criar vs cultivar

Both mean 'to grow' something.

Cultivar is for plants/crops; criar is for humans/animals.

Cultivo rosas y crío perros.

criar vs crecer

Both involve getting bigger.

Crecer is what the child does (intransitive); criar is what the parent does (transitive).

El niño crece mientras sus padres lo crían.

criar vs subir

Both can mean 'to raise' (e.g., raise prices).

Subir is for volume, prices, or stairs; criar is for living beings.

Subieron los precios de la comida para criar pollos.

문장 패턴

[Subject] + criar + a + [Person]

Yo crío a mi hija.

Me crié + en + [Place]

Me crié en una granja.

Espero que + [Subject] + críe + [Object]

Espero que ella críe bien al gato.

[Noun] + de crianza

Este es un vino de crianza.

Criar + fama + y + echarse a dormir

Él decidió criar fama y echarse a dormir.

Haber sido + criado + en + [Context]

Haber sido criado en la guerra lo cambió.

No + malcriar + a + [Person]

No malcríes a tu hermano.

Si + [Past Subjunctive] + criaría

Si tuviera tiempo, criaría abejas.

어휘 가족

명사

crianza

criadero

criador

criadura

criada

동사

malcriar

recriar

형용사

criado

malcriado

biencriado

사용법

frequency

Very common in daily speech, especially regarding family and food (wine).

자주 하는 실수

Yo creo a mi hijo. → Yo crío a mi hijo.
You used 'creer' (to believe) or 'crear' (to create) instead of 'criar' (to raise).
Él quiere levantar a sus hijos en el campo. → Él quiere criar a sus hijos en el campo.
'Levantar' means to physically lift up. 'Criar' is the correct verb for raising children.
Crío mis perros. → Crío a mis perros.
You forgot the personal 'a' which is required for pets and people.
Me crecí en España. → Me crié en España.
'Crecer' is not reflexive. Use 'Me crié' or just 'Crecí'.
Ella es muy malcriada por la escuela. → Ella es muy mal educada por la escuela.
'Malcriada' usually refers to home upbringing and being spoiled. If the issue is lack of manners or formal education, 'mal educada' is better.

팁

The 'i' for Infant

Remember the 'i' in 'criar' stands for 'Infant'. You 'criar' an infant. If you use 'e' (crear), you are 'creating' something.

The Personal 'A'

Never forget the 'a' when raising a person: 'Crío a mi hijo'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.

The Village

In Spanish cultures, 'crianza' is a group effort. Mentioning your 'tíos' or 'abuelos' in the context of your upbringing is very natural.

Malcriado

Use 'malcriado' to describe someone who is spoiled. It's a very common and descriptive word in Spanish.

Stress the Ending

In the infinitive 'criar', the stress is on the 'AR'. Make sure you don't say 'CRI-ar'.

Wine Labels

If you see 'Crianza' on a wine bottle, remember it means the wine was 'raised' in a barrel. It's a great real-world way to remember the word.

Origins

When someone asks where you are from, try saying 'Me crié en...' instead of just 'Soy de...'. It sounds much more fluent.

Watch for the 'i'

In fast speech, 'crío' and 'creo' sound similar. Listen for the sharp 'ee' sound of the 'i' to know they mean 'raise'.

Animals vs Plants

Use 'criar' for animals and 'cultivar' for plants. While 'criar' for plants is possible, it's very specific.

Crow Warning

Learn 'Cría cuervos...' to sound like a native. It's one of the most famous proverbs in the Spanish language.

암기하기

기억법

Think of a 'Crier'. Babies cry, and when they do, you have to 'criar' (raise/care for) them. The 'i' in 'criar' is for the 'Infant' you are raising.

시각적 연상

Imagine a farmer holding a small lamb in one hand and a baby in the other. He is 'criar'-ing both of them. See the letter 'i' as a small person being supported by the 'c' and 'r'.

Word Web

Hijos Ganado Perros Crianza Malcriado Padres Granja Amor

챌린지

Try to write three sentences: one about where you were raised, one about a pet you want to raise, and one using the word 'malcriado'.

어원

From the Latin verb 'creare', which means 'to produce', 'to bring forth', or 'to create'. Over time, the meaning evolved in Spanish to specifically refer to the nurturing and raising of living beings.

원래 의미: To create or produce.

Romance (Latin)

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using 'malcriado'. While it means 'spoiled', it can be a strong insult if directed at a parent's upbringing of their child.

English speakers often use 'raise' for children/animals and 'grow' for plants. Spanish uses 'criar' for both children and animals, but 'cultivar' is better for plants.

The movie 'Cría Cuervos' (1976) by Carlos Saura, which explores childhood and memory. The proverb 'Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos' is found in many literary works. The 'Crianza' label on Spanish wine bottles (like Rioja) is a world-famous mark of quality.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Family

Criar a los hijos
Me crié con mis abuelos
Es difícil criar solo
Crianza compartida

Farming

Criar ganado
Criar pollos
Criadero de caballos
Criar para carne

Pets

Criar a un cachorro
No malcríes al perro
Criar gatitos
Criar a mano

Wine

Vino de crianza
Tiempo de crianza
Crianza en roble
Bodega de crianza

Idioms

Criar malvas
Cría cuervos
Criar fama
Criar moho

대화 시작하기

"¿Dónde te criaste tú cuando eras pequeño?"

"¿Crees que es más difícil criar hijos hoy que antes?"

"¿Alguna vez has criado a un animal desde que era bebé?"

"¿Qué opinas de la gente que malcría a sus mascotas?"

"¿Prefieres el vino joven o un vino con crianza?"

일기 주제

Describe cómo te criaron tus padres y qué valores te enseñaron.

Si tuvieras una granja, ¿qué tipo de animales te gustaría criar y por qué?

Escribe sobre una persona que consideres que está muy bien criada.

Reflexiona sobre el dicho 'Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos'. ¿Te ha pasado algo así?

¿Cómo te gustaría criar a tus propios hijos o mascotas en el futuro?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, but it is less common than 'cultivar'. Using 'criar' for a plant suggests you are giving it very special, almost 'parental' care. For example, 'Estoy criando un bonsái' sounds more intimate than 'Estoy cultivando un bonsái'.

In Spanish, 'criar' is the broad act of raising, focusing on physical growth and general development. 'Educar' specifically refers to teaching manners, values, and formal education. You 'criar' a child to be healthy and 'educar' them to be polite.

The accent is needed to break the diphthong. Without it, the 'io' would be one syllable. The accent ensures the 'i' is stressed and pronounced clearly as a separate syllable: 'crí-o'.

Yes, 'malcriado' is generally negative. It means 'spoiled' or 'rude'. However, in very informal settings among family, it might be used jokingly, but it usually implies the child has not been taught proper boundaries.

The most natural way is to use the reflexive preterite: 'Me crié en Nueva York'. You can also say 'Crecí en Nueva York', but 'me crié' emphasizes the environment and upbringing.

In some regions, you might hear 'criar pelo' (to grow hair) or 'criar dinero' (to make/save money), but these are more metaphorical or regional. It's better to stick to 'crecer el pelo' or 'ganar dinero'.

It is a legal term in Spain for wine that has been aged for at least two years, with at least six months (or one year in some regions) in oak barrels. It is the first level of aged wine above 'joven'.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. The only 'irregularity' is the orthographic accent mark on the 'i' in certain forms to maintain the correct pronunciation.

Yes, you can say 'La gata está criando a sus gatitos' to mean the mother cat is raising her kittens.

A 'criadero' is a place where animals are bred and raised, such as a kennel for dogs, a fish hatchery, or a stud farm for horses.

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