creciendo
/kreh-see-en-doh/
growing
Creciendo (growing): The sapling is getting physically bigger or taller.
creciendo(Verb (Present Participle / Gerund))
growing
?getting physically bigger or taller
getting bigger
?size or height
📝 In Action
Mi hijo está creciendo muy rápido, ya no le cabe la ropa.
A1My son is growing very fast; his clothes don't fit him anymore.
Las plantas están creciendo bien gracias a la lluvia.
A2The plants are growing well thanks to the rain.
El cachorro de mi vecino sigue creciendo y ya parece un oso.
A2My neighbor's puppy keeps growing and already looks like a bear.
💡 Grammar Points
Continuous Action
You use 'creciendo' mainly with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action happening right now or continuously: 'Está creciendo' (It is growing).
Gerund Form
'Creciendo' is the '-ing' form (the gerund). For '-er' and '-ir' verbs, you usually add '-iendo' to the stem.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "El niño es creciendo."
Correction: El niño está creciendo. (Use 'estar' for temporary, ongoing actions like growth.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Irregular 'Yo' Form
Remember that the base verb 'crecer' has an irregular 'yo' form in the present tense: 'yo crezco' (I grow). This 'z' also appears in the subjunctive mood.
Creciendo (increasing): The quantity of blocks is growing.
creciendo(Verb (Present Participle / Gerund))
increasing
?quantity, rate, or intensity
,expanding
?business or market
escalating
?problems or tension
📝 In Action
La economía del país está creciendo a un ritmo constante.
B1The country's economy is growing (increasing) at a constant rate.
El número de turistas que visitan la ciudad está creciendo cada año.
B1The number of tourists visiting the city is increasing every year.
La tensión entre los dos equipos estaba creciendo antes del partido.
B2The tension between the two teams was escalating (growing) before the match.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with 'Ir'
You can use 'ir' (to go) plus 'creciendo' to describe a gradual increase over time: 'El problema va creciendo' (The problem is gradually getting worse).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context Clue
When used with abstract nouns like 'tensión' or 'demanda,' 'creciendo' means the intensity or need is getting stronger, not that the object is getting physically bigger.
Creciendo (developing): The child is developing skill by completing the puzzle.
creciendo(Verb (Present Participle / Gerund))
developing
?skills or knowledge
,maturing
?in character or understanding
evolving
?ideas or systems
📝 In Action
Ella está creciendo como profesional en su nuevo puesto.
B2She is developing (maturing) as a professional in her new position.
El equipo sigue creciendo en confianza después de ganar el campeonato.
B2The team continues to grow in confidence after winning the championship.
Nuestra comprensión del universo está creciendo gracias a nuevas tecnologías.
C1Our understanding of the universe is evolving (growing) thanks to new technologies.
💡 Grammar Points
Mental Growth
When used with abstract concepts like 'fe' (faith) or 'conocimiento' (knowledge), 'creciendo' implies a steady process of gaining depth or strength.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: creciendo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'creciendo' in the sense of 'increasing intensity'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'creciendo' irregular?
The base verb 'crecer' is almost entirely regular, making 'creciendo' a straightforward gerund form. The only irregularity is the addition of a 'z' before the 'c' in the 'yo' form of the present tense ('crezco') and throughout the present subjunctive, but this doesn't affect the gerund form 'creciendo'.
When should I use 'creciendo' versus 'aumentando'?
'Creciendo' (growing) is best for natural, organic, or developmental increase (a child, a business, a feeling). 'Aumentando' (increasing) is usually better for countable things or measurable metrics (prices, salaries, quantities).