Croire à vs. croire en

Question

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

Céline Pickard · Accepted 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!

Maarten Kamp · Answer

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/