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"Criada" is a form of "criar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to raise". "Aya" is a form of "aya", a noun which is often translated as "governess". Learn more about the difference between "criada" and "aya" below.
criar(
kryahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to nurture)
a. to breastfeed (with breast milk)
La nodriza criaba al bebé en lugar de la madre.The wet nurse breastfed the baby instead of the mother.
b. to feed (with bottle)
Estoy criando a mi bebé con leche maternizada.I'm feeding my baby on formula milk.
c. to breed (allowing reproduction)
Mis tíos criaban pavos en su granja.My uncle and aunt bred turkeys on their farm.
5. (winemaking)
a. to age
La bodega cría todos sus vinos en barricas de roble.The winery ages all its wine in oak barrels.
6. (to produce)
a. to get
Tengo que comer menos porque estoy criando barriga.I need to eat less because I'm getting a belly.
b. to gather (dust or filth)
Esa lámpara rota está ahí criando polvo.That broken lamp is just gathering dust there.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Si los alimentos crían moho, deshágase de ellos inmediatamente.If food goes moldy, get rid of it straight away.
El hombre aullaba mientras sus manos y sus brazos empezaban a criar vello.The man howled as his hands and arms started to become hairy.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to nurse)
a. to breastfeed (woman)
Me dijo Estefanía que no podía criar.Estefanía told me that she was unable to breastfeed.
9. (to mature)
a. to be aged
Nuestro tequila ha sido criado en barricas durante cinco años.Our tequila has been aged in wooden barrels for five years.
criarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
10. (to develop)
b. to be brought up (person)
Me crié con mis abuelos porque mis padres tuvieron que irse a trabajar al extranjero.I was brought up by my grandparents as my parents had to go and work abroad.
c. to be bred (animal)
Todas las aves que vendemos se crían aquí.All the birds we sell are bred here.
d. to be reared (person or animal)
Estos tigres se criaron en cautividad.These tigers were reared in captivity.
la aya(
ah
-
yah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (old-fashioned) (profession)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. governess
Los monarcas contrataron a una aya francesa para que el príncipe practicara francés con una hablante nativa.The monarchs hired a French governess so the prince could practice French with a native speaker.
