French expressions & patterns
croire quelqu'un vs. croire en quelqu'un: how to choose
Same verb, different object structure, different meaning. 'Croire quelqu'un' (direct object) is about the truth of their current words. 'Croire en quelqu'un' is about long-term faith or confidence in who they are or what they can do.
The decision: Believing their current statement is true? → croire + direct object (no preposition). Having faith in them as a person, regardless of what they just said? → croire en.
The choices at a glance
| Choose | When to use it | Pattern and example |
|---|---|---|
| croire quelqu'un | Believing what someone is saying is true right now — a direct object, no preposition. | Tu me crois ? |
| croire en quelqu'un | Having faith or confidence in someone's character or ability, independent of what they just said. | Je crois en toi. |
Compare the meaning
Je crois mon ami.
Je crois en mon ami.
Practise this decision in FKE
The interactive comparison includes decision practice and links to the related FKE knowledge tools.
Open croire quelqu'un vs. croire en quelqu'un in FKE