vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Creer" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to believe", and "deber" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to owe". Learn more about the difference between "creer" and "deber" below.
creer(
kreh
-
ehr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to believe
Creo en un ser superior.I believe in a supreme being.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to think
Creo que podría estar enfermo.I think he might be sick.
a. to believe
Nadie me cree.No one believes me.
creerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to believe
No me creo mejor que tú.I don't believe that I am better than you.
b. to think
¿Te crees tan guapo?You think you're so good-looking?
a. to believe
¿Pero tú piensas que se lo cree en serio?Do you think she really believes that?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
deber(
deh
-
behr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to owe
El dinero que me debe cubriría mis facturas.The money he owes me would cover my bills.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. should
Los culpables de delitos viales deben ser sancionados.Traffic offenders should be punished.
b. have to
Ya sabes que debes ponerte la corbata para ir al colegio.You know you have to wear your tie to go to school.
c. must
Debo ser responsable.I must be responsible.
d. ought to
Es tu hermano, debes ayudarlo.He's your brother. You ought to help him.
a. must
¿Cuántos años tiene tu profesora de francés? - Debe tener unos cuarenta.How old is your French teacher? - She must be around forty.
a. should
No deberías fumar tanto. Vas a acabar con una tos crónica.You shouldn't smoke so much. You'll end up having a chronic cough.
b. ought to
Deberías ser más amable con los vecinos.You ought to be more polite to our neighbors.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. duty
Es mi deber proteger mi país.It's my duty to protect my country.
b. obligation
Es tu deber como madre cuidar a tus hijos.It's your obligation as a mother to take care of your children.
los deberes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. homework
Tengo un montón de deberes que hacer este fin de semana.I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.
deberse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to be due to
Esta situación se debe a la falta de información.This situation is due to a lack of information.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.