criado

/kree-AH-doh/

raised

A colorful illustration depicting a tall adult figure holding the hand of a small child as they walk together on a sunny, grassy path, symbolizing guidance and upbringing.

This image shows a person being 'raised' or brought up, relating to the adjective form of 'criado'.

criado(Adjective)

mA2

raised

referring to a person's upbringing

brought up

referring to a person's upbringing

Also:

bred

for animals

📝 In Action

Fui criado en el campo, por eso amo la naturaleza.

I was raised in the countryside, that's why I love nature.

Los cachorros fueron criados sin su madre.

The puppies were raised without their mother.

Ella es una mujer muy bien criada, con excelentes modales.

She is a very well brought up woman, with excellent manners.

Word Connections

Synonyms

educado (educated/well-mannered)
formado (formed)

Common Collocations

bien criado – well brought up
mal criado – badly brought up/spoiled

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Be' of Origin

When criado is used as an adjective describing how someone was raised, it usually pairs with the verb ser (to be) or estar (to be) to describe a permanent state or condition.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender/Number Agreement

Mistake: "Usando 'criado' para una mujer o un grupo: 'Ella fue criado.'"

Correction: Always make sure the ending matches the person or thing being described: 'Ella fue criada' (feminine) or 'Ellos fueron criados' (plural).

⭐ Usage Tips

Remember the Source Verb

Think of criado as meaning 'created' or 'nurtured.' It comes from the verb criar, which means 'to raise' or 'to breed.'

A colorful illustration of a man dressed in a neat, simple servant's uniform, respectfully carrying a silver tray with a single teacup on it in a large, simple room.

Here, 'criado' refers to a male 'servant' or domestic worker.

criado(Noun)

mB1

servant

a male domestic worker

manservant

a male domestic worker

Also:

attendant

historical

📝 In Action

El criado de la casa trajo el té a la sala.

The manservant of the house brought the tea to the living room.

Llamó a su criado para que le preparara el caballo.

He called his servant to prepare his horse for him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

sirviente (servant)
doméstico (domestic worker)

Antonyms

amo (master/owner)

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Form

The female equivalent of criado is criada (maid or female servant). Both words come from the idea of someone who was 'raised' or 'nurtured' by the household they serve.

⭐ Usage Tips

Historical Context

While you might hear this word in older movies or books, in modern Spanish, people usually use more neutral terms like empleado doméstico (domestic employee).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: criado

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'criado' as a noun (a person)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

criar(to raise, to bring up) - verb

criada(maid, female servant) - noun

crianza(upbringing, raising) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If 'criado' means 'raised,' why does it also mean 'servant'?

Historically, a 'criado' was often a child who was literally 'raised' within the household of a wealthy family, often starting work there from a young age. The meaning evolved from 'the one who was raised' to 'the domestic worker.'

Is 'criado' an offensive word today?

While the word is not inherently offensive, it sounds formal and old-fashioned. In many Spanish-speaking areas, people prefer neutral terms like 'empleado doméstico' (domestic employee) or 'ayudante' (helper) when referring to domestic staff.