Unlock the power of “creer“: Master this essential Spanish verb with our comprehensive conjugation guide, covering every tense, mood, and example you need. This guide will equip you to express belief, opinion, and doubt with fluency and accuracy.
Creer, meaning “to believe” or “to think,” is fundamental for expressing your convictions and perspectives in Spanish. Conjugating creer correctly allows you to articulate your thoughts with nuance and precision. This guide will break down each tense and mood, providing clear examples and highlighting common pitfalls.
Creer Conjugation Tables
Present Indicative: Expressing Current Beliefs
The present indicative describes what you believe right now.
Pronoun
Conjugation
Example
yo
creo
Creo que mañana lloverá. (I believe it will rain tomorrow.)
tú
crees
¿Crees en fantasmas? (Do you believe in ghosts?)
él/ella/usted
cree
Ella cree que puede ganar. (She believes she can win.)
nosotros/as
creemos
Creemos en la importancia de la educación. (We believe in the importance of education.)
vosotros/as
creéis
¿Creéis que es una buena idea? (Do you all think it’s a good idea?) (Primarily used in Spain.)
ellos/ellas/ustedes
creen
Creen que es posible. (They believe it’s possible.)
Preterite Indicative: Beliefs of the Past
The preterite tense describes completed actions in the past, and creer has a stem change here. For more details and practice, visit our dedicated guide on the creer preterite.
Pronoun
Conjugation
Example
yo
creí
Creí que vendrías. (I believed you would come.)
tú
creíste
Creíste en mí. (You believed in me.)
él/ella/usted
creyó
Creyó la historia. (He/She/You believed the story.)
nosotros/as
creímos
Creímos en sus promesas. (We believed in his/her promises.)
vosotros/as
creísteis
Creísteis en el cambio. (You all believed in change.) (Primarily used in Spain.)
ellos/ellas/ustedes
creyeron
Creyeron en la magia. (They/You all believed in magic.)
Imperfect Indicative: Past Habits of Belief
The imperfect indicative describes habitual past beliefs or states of mind.
Pronoun
Conjugation
Example
yo
creía
De niño, creía en Santa Claus. (As a child, I believed in Santa Claus.)
tú
creías
Siempre creías en lo mejor de las personas. (You always believed in the best in people.)
él/ella/usted
creía
Creía que todo era posible. (He/She/You believed that everything was possible.)
(Continue this pattern for Nosotros/as, Vosotros/as, Ellos/as/Ustedes)
Future and Conditional Indicative: Beliefs about the Future
The future indicative expresses what you will believe, while the conditional indicates what you would believe under certain conditions.
Future: Creeré (I will believe), creerás, creerá, etc.
Conditional: Creería (I would believe), creerías, creería, etc.
Subjunctive Mood: Beliefs Tinged with Uncertainty
The subjunctive adds a layer of subjectivity, expressing doubt, desire, or emotion related to belief.
Compound Tenses (e.g., Present Perfect): Use haber + creído (past participle). Example: He creído en ti todo este tiempo. (I have believed in you all this time.)
Progressive Tenses (e.g., Present Continuous): Use estar + creyendo (gerund). Example: Estoy creyendo cada vez más en sus ideas. (I am believing more and more in his/her ideas.)
Nuances of Creer
Creer en vs. Creer que
Creer en: To believe in (faith, trust). Example: Creo en la justicia. (I believe in justice.)
Creer que: To believe that (facts, opinions). Example: Creo que lloverá. (I believe it will rain.)
Creer vs. Pensar vs. Opinar
While these verbs relate to thought, they have subtle differences:
Creer: Conviction, faith.
Pensar: To think, reflect.
Opinar: To express a viewpoint.
Common Mistakes
Confusing preterite and imperfect tenses.
Forgetting the stem change in the preterite.
Incorrectly using creer en and creer que.
Practice and Next Steps
Consistent practice is key. Seek out opportunities to use creer in conversation and writing. Explore further by studying the subjunctive in more depth, as it is frequently used with creer. Don’t be afraid to explore other related verbs like pensar and opinar to enrich your understanding of expressing beliefs in Spanish.
Hello, My love for writing is rivaled only by my passion for in-depth research. While many may skim the surface, I dive deep, seeking the hidden gems of information that give a story texture and depth. Every word I write is backed by hours of exploration, ensuring that my work is not just compelling, but also meticulously accurate. Join me on a journey where every piece is a deep dive into the realms of knowledge and storytelling.
