Croire à vs. croire en

SaraB2Kwiziq community member

Croire à vs. croire en

Are croire à and croire en interchangeable? If not, what is the difference?

Asked 3 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Nicole,

Maarten is right. There is a dictinction: intellectual beliefs vs emotional beliefs

Croire à = intellectual beliefs (convinced of its effects / existence)

Mon fils croit au Père Noël my son believes in Father Christmas

Je crois aux sorcières = I believe in witches

Il croit à l’astrologie he believes in astrology

 

Croire en = emotional beliefs (trust in sthg /sb)

Marc croit en tes capacités Marc believes in your abilities

Je crois en lui = I believe in him

 

Attention - In a religious context:

Elle croit en Dieu (as having trust in God - most often used)

Elle croit à Dieu (as in God’s existence – rarely used)

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée!

MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Croie en - believe in (by faith/emotion)

Croie à - believe in (by 'reason'/thinking)

But it's a narrow distinction sometimes !

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/croire-lesson/

Croire à vs. croire en

Are croire à and croire en interchangeable? If not, what is the difference?

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