Inklingo

How to Say "to grow" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to grow” is “crecer” — use 'crecer' when referring to the physical growth of living things, such as people, animals, or plants getting bigger..

crecer🔊A1

Use 'crecer' when referring to the physical growth of living things, such as people, animals, or plants getting bigger.

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aumentar🔊B1

Use 'aumentar' when talking about an increase in size, quantity, or intensity, often for abstract concepts or measurable things like numbers or levels.

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desarrollar🔊B1

Use 'desarrollar' to talk about progression, evolution, or the process of creating or improving something, like a plan, a skill, or a biological process.

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hacerse🔊A2

Use 'hacerse' to indicate aging or becoming something over time, especially when referring to age or significant changes in condition.

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ponerme🔊A2

Use 'ponerme' with adjectives to describe becoming a certain way, often related to feelings or temporary states, like getting nervous or tired.

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English → Spanish

crecer

kreh-SEHR/kɾeˈseɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'crecer' when referring to the physical growth of living things, such as people, animals, or plants getting bigger.
A small green seedling emerging from brown soil next to a tall, vibrant yellow sunflower, illustrating physical growth.

Examples

Mi hijo ha crecido mucho y ya necesita zapatos nuevos.

My son has grown a lot and now needs new shoes.

Mi sobrina ha crecido mucho este año.

My niece has grown a lot this year.

Las flores crecen mejor bajo el sol directo.

Flowers grow better under direct sun.

Yo crezco y me hago más fuerte cada día.

I grow and become stronger every day.

The 'zc' Spelling Fix

In the 'yo' form of the present tense ('yo crezco'), the 'c' changes to 'zc'. This is a spelling rule used in many '-cer' verbs (like 'conocer') to make sure the 'c' keeps a soft 's' sound before the 'o'.

aumentar

ow-men-TAR/aw.menˈtaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'aumentar' when talking about an increase in size, quantity, or intensity, often for abstract concepts or measurable things like numbers or levels.
A tiny green seedling emerging from the earth positioned right next to a mature, large green plant, symbolizing growth in size.

Examples

Las temperaturas van a aumentar la próxima semana.

The temperatures are going to increase next week.

El nivel del río aumentó después de la lluvia.

The river level rose after the rain.

La población ha aumentado dramáticamente en la última década.

The population has grown dramatically in the last decade.

El costo de la vida sigue aumentando.

The cost of living keeps rising.

Intransitive Use (No Direct Object)

In this sense, 'aumentar' is intransitive. The subject of the sentence (e.g., 'the river level') is the thing that is doing the increasing, and no other person or thing is causing the action.

The Role of 'Se' (Aumentarse)

Sometimes you will see 'aumentarse' (reflexive form) when the increase is perceived as happening automatically or affecting the subject directly, especially related to personal things like family or weight: 'Mi familia se ha aumentado' (My family has grown).

Misusing 'Crecer'

Mistake: “El precio creció. (The price grew.)”

Correction: El precio aumentó. (The price increased.) – 'Crecer' is usually for living things (people, plants); 'aumentar' is better for numbers, prices, and abstract concepts.

desarrollar

/deh-sah-rroh-YAR//desaroˈʝar/

verbB1general
Use 'desarrollar' to talk about progression, evolution, or the process of creating or improving something, like a plan, a skill, or a biological process.
A small green plant growing from a tiny sprout into a larger seedling in a pot of soil.

Examples

El proyecto se desarrolló más rápido de lo esperado.

The project developed faster than expected.

Necesitamos desarrollar un plan de acción.

We need to develop an action plan.

Él hace ejercicio para desarrollar sus músculos.

He exercises to develop his muscles.

A regular 'ar' verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it easy to conjugate once you know the basics.

Spelling: Double 'r' and double 'l'

Mistake: “Writing 'desarolar' or 'desarrollar' with one 'r'.”

Correction: Always use two 'r's after the first syllable and two 'l's at the end. Think of 'roll' in English to remember the double 'l'.

hacerse

ah-SEHR-seh/aˈθeɾse/

verbA2general
Use 'hacerse' to indicate aging or becoming something over time, especially when referring to age or significant changes in condition.
A large, deep orange sun sinking below a flat horizon, indicating that the day is getting late.

Examples

El niño se hizo mayor muy rápidamente.

The boy got older very quickly.

¡Vámonos, se está haciendo tarde!

Let's go, it's getting late!

Cuando me hice mayor, entendí a mis padres.

When I got older, I understood my parents.

Se hizo de noche rápidamente después de la tormenta.

It became night quickly after the storm.

Impersonal Time

When talking about time passing or daylight changing (like 'getting dark' or 'getting light'), you use the third-person singular form: 'se hace'.

Hacerse + Adjective

This meaning is often followed by adjectives like 'tarde' (late), 'mayor' (older), or 'viejo' (old).

Mixing up 'getting old'

Mistake: “Estoy haciendo viejo.”

Correction: Me estoy haciendo viejo. (You must include the reflexive pronoun 'me' because you are the one changing.)

ponerme

/po-NER-me//poˈneɾme/

verbA2general
Use 'ponerme' with adjectives to describe becoming a certain way, often related to feelings or temporary states, like getting nervous or tired.
A simple cartoon character smiling brightly, with yellow beams of light radiating outwards from their head and body, symbolizing sudden happiness.

Examples

Me pongo muy contento cuando recibo buenas noticias.

I get very happy when I receive good news.

Intento no ponerme nervioso antes de un examen.

I try not to get nervous before an exam.

Al ver la película, empecé a ponerme triste.

Upon seeing the movie, I started to become sad.

Si salgo sin sombrero, puedo ponerme malo.

If I go out without a hat, I could get sick.

Temporary States

When 'ponerme' is used to talk about feelings or states, it usually implies a temporary change, like getting happy or getting tired.

Always Needs an Adjective

In this sense, 'ponerme' must be followed by an adjective describing the mood or state (e.g., nervioso, triste, contento).

Confusing with Ser/Estar

Mistake: “Estoy triste después de la película. (Correct, but static)”

Correction: Me puse triste después de la película. (Correct, emphasizes the action of becoming sad.)

Physical Growth vs. Increase

Learners often confuse 'crecer' (physical growth of living things) with 'aumentar' (increase in quantity or size). Remember, 'crecer' is for people and plants getting bigger, while 'aumentar' is for numbers, levels, or abstract amounts going up.

Related Translations

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