crescere
to grow up, to raise
Intermediate Verb
🔊
Pronunciation
/ˈkreʃ.ʃe.re/
💡
Cultural Note
'Crescere' can be intransitive (to grow up, with 'essere') or transitive (to raise, with 'avere'). The phrase 'Dove sei cresciuto?' (Where did you grow up?) is another fundamental question in Italian social life, as your hometown shapes your dialect, cuisine preferences, and identity.
📝 Example Sentences
Sono cresciuto in un piccolo paese di montagna.
I grew up in a small mountain village.
Hanno cresciuto tre figli con molto amore.
They raised three children with a lot of love.
I bambini crescono in fretta.
Children grow up fast.