"To Become" in Spanish

"To Become" in Spanish

There are several different Spanish equivalents for the English verb "to become," depending on several factors. (Note that in English, various verbs like "to get" and "to turn" are sometimes more idiomatic than the literal meaning "to become.")

Ponerse is followed by an adjective and indicates an involuntary physical or emotional change.

Me puse enfermo en Madrid.
I got sick in Madrid.

Ana se pone roja cuando habla.
Ana turns red when she talks.

Volverse is followed by an adjective and indicates a sudden, profound change.

¡Se volvió loco!
He went crazy!

Julio se ha vuelto imposible.
Julio has become impossible.

Hacerse and llegar a ser are followed by a noun or adjective and indicates a change brought about by effort.

Me hice médico.
I became a doctor.

¿Es posible hacerse rico en los EEUU?
Is it possible to get rich in the US?

¿Llegarás a ser abogado?
Are you going to be a lawyer?

Llegó a ser muy popular.
He became very popular.

Convertirse en and transformarse en are followed by a noun and usually indicate a change to a thing rather than a person.

La condición se convirtió en una emergencia médica.
The condition turned into a medical emergency.

La leche puede tranformarse en queso.
Milk can be turned into cheese.

There are also a number of Spanish verbs which express a specific change and tend to be somewhat more formal.

adelgazar(se)
to become thin

cansarse
to get tired

emocionarse
to get excited

enfadarse
to become angry

enfermar
to become sick

enflaquecer(se)
to become thin

enfurecerse
to become furious

engordar
to become fat

enloquecer(se)
to go mad

enmudecerse
to become mute

enojarse
to get angry

enorgullecerse
to become haughty

enriquecerse
to get rich

enrojecer(se)
to become red

ensordecer
to become deaf

envejecer(se)
to become old

palidecer
to become pale