Verbs of Change: Becoming in Spanish

Introduction

English has one all-purpose word for becoming: "become." Spanish has at least five different verbs, each for a different type of change. Choosing the wrong one sounds unnatural. This lesson breaks down when to use each one.

Ponerse (Sudden Emotional/Physical Change)

Use for involuntary, temporary changes — emotions, physical states, colors:

• Se puso rojo. — He turned red. (blushing)
• Me puse nervioso. — I got nervous.
• Se puso triste cuando oyó la noticia. — She became sad when she heard the news.
• El cielo se puso oscuro. — The sky turned dark.
• Se puso enfermo. — He got sick.

Key trait: The change is usually sudden, emotional, or physical. Often involuntary.

Common adjectives with ponerse: nervioso, triste, contento, furioso, enfermo, rojo, pálido, serio

Volverse (Dramatic, Often Permanent Change)

Use for deep personality or character transformations — often implying something drastic:

• Se volvió loco. — He went crazy.
• Se ha vuelto muy antipático. — He's become very unfriendly.
• Con los años se volvió más paciente. — Over the years he became more patient.
• La situación se volvió insostenible. — The situation became unsustainable.

Key trait: A fundamental change in character or nature. Stronger and more permanent than ponerse.

Common adjectives with volverse: loco, egoísta, agresivo, introvertido, insoportable

Hacerse (Deliberate or Gradual Change)

Use for changes that involve effort, will, or a gradual process — often professions, religions, ideologies:

• Se hizo abogado. — He became a lawyer. (through study/effort)
• Se hizo rico. — He became rich. (over time)
• Se hizo católico. — He became Catholic. (a decision)
• Se está haciendo famoso. — He's becoming famous. (gradually)
• Se hizo amigo de ella. — He became friends with her.

Key trait: Implies agency, effort, or a process. The person actively "makes themselves" into something.

Common with hacerse: rico, famoso, amigo, mayor (older), profesions, religions

Convertirse en (Transformation into Something Different)

Use when something transforms into a completely different thing — followed by en + noun:

• El agua se convirtió en hielo. — The water turned into ice.
• Se convirtió en una estrella de cine. — She became a movie star.
• La reunión se convirtió en una discusión. — The meeting turned into an argument.
• El pueblo se convirtió en una ciudad. — The town became a city.

Key trait: A complete transformation from one thing into another. Always followed by en + noun (never an adjective).

Llegar a ser (Achievement After a Long Process)

Use for accomplishments reached after sustained effort or time:

• Llegó a ser presidente. — He became president. (achieved it)
• Llegó a ser uno de los mejores. — He became one of the best.
• Si practicas, llegarás a ser bilingüe. — If you practice, you'll become bilingual.

Key trait: Emphasizes the journey and achievement. More impressive than hacerse.

Quedarse (Resulting State After an Event)

Use for ending up in a state as a result of something:

• Se quedó ciego. — He went blind.
• Se quedó dormido. — He fell asleep.
• Se quedó viudo. — He became a widower.
• Me quedé sin dinero. — I was left without money.
• Se quedó sorprendido. — He was left surprised.

Key trait: The change is a result — something happened and this is the state they ended up in.

Quick Reference

Practice