Inklingo

How to Say "to trust" in Spanish

English → Spanish

confiar

kon-fyahrkoɱˈfjaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'confiar' when expressing general faith or belief in someone's reliability or something's integrity.
A storybook illustration showing a small child holding the hand of an adult while crossing a stream, symbolizing mutual faith and trust.

Examples

Confío en que llegarás a tiempo.

I trust that you will arrive on time.

Confío en ti. Sé que lo harás bien.

I trust you. I know you'll do it well.

Puedes confiar en mi palabra.

You can trust my word.

Es difícil confiar en los políticos.

It's difficult to trust politicians.

The Magic Word: 'en'

In Spanish, you don't just 'trust someone,' you 'trust IN someone.' Always remember to put en after confiar. For example: Confío en mi hermana. (I trust my sister.)

Forgetting 'en'

Mistake: “Quiero confiar tú.”

Correction: Quiero confiar en ti. (I want to trust you.) You almost always need 'en' to say who or what you trust.

creer

kreh-EHRkɾeˈeɾ

verbA2general
Employ 'creer' specifically when you have confidence in a person's abilities or their character, often implying a strong personal conviction.
A small figure confidently leaping across a small gap toward the large, supportive, and open hand of a second, larger figure, symbolizing trust and faith.

Examples

Creo en tu capacidad para resolver este problema.

I believe in your ability to solve this problem.

Yo creo en ti.

I believe in you.

¿Crees en la astrología?

Do you believe in astrology?

Es importante creer en uno mismo.

It's important to believe in oneself.

The Magic Word: 'en'

To say you 'believe IN' something or someone, you must use the little word 'en' after 'creer'. 'Creo en ti' (I believe in you) is very different from 'Te creo' (I believe what you are saying).

Forgetting 'en'

Mistake: “'Yo creo la democracia.'”

Correction: 'Yo creo en la democracia.' When you're talking about faith in a concept, person, or system, you need 'en'. Without it, it sounds like you believe a story that democracy told you.

fiar

fee-AHRfjaɾ

verbB1general
Choose 'fiar' when you are relying on someone's word or the proven quality of a thing, often used in negative contexts to express doubt.
A child falling backward with their eyes closed, being safely caught by a smiling parent.

Examples

No me fío de las promesas vacías.

I don't trust empty promises.

No me fío de ese hombre.

I don't trust that man.

Puedes fiarte de lo que dice el manual.

You can trust what the manual says.

No te fíes mucho, el tiempo puede cambiar.

Don't be too confident, the weather might change.

The 'De' Connection

When you trust 'in' or 'of' someone, you must use the word 'de' after 'fiarse'. For example: 'Me fío DE ella'.

Missing 'De'

Mistake: “No me fío él.”

Correction: No me fío de él. Always include 'de' to indicate who or what is being trusted.

Confusing 'Confiar' and 'Creer'

Learners often confuse 'confiar' and 'creer' when expressing faith in people. Remember, 'confiar' is broader, covering general reliability, while 'creer' emphasizes belief in someone's specific abilities or character. Think of 'creer' as a stronger, more personal conviction in their potential.

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