G A M E To Become

Question

Following up on a conversation I had with Sagiia I thought a game to practice the many ways of saying 'to become' in Spanish might be handy.

I'm sure there'll be some others and some exceptions but here are some notes to help: from elearnspanish.com

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.

A little more on ponerse:

Ponerse — This common verb is often used to refer to a change in emotion or mood, especially when the change is sudden or temporary. It can also be used to refer to changes in physical appearance and many other traits and can apply to inanimate objects as well as persons. Note that ponerse can also be used in other ways, such as meaning "to put on" or "to begin."

Cuando llegó Antonio, su madre se puso feliz de tenerlo en casa. When Antonio arrived, his mother became very happy to have him at home.

En aquel día me puse enfermo. On that day I became sick.

Cuando el cielo se pone oscuro las mariposas dejan de volar. When the sky becomes dark the butterflies quit flying.

No nos pongamos tristes. Se va a un lugar mejor. Let's not become sad. He's going away to a better place.

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 indicate a change brought about by effort. **

(Note: gracias a Heidi y Feliz - llegar a ser places more stress on the gradual change or that the change took an extended time period to be brought about.)

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.

Update on convertirse to show that it can be used with people:

Convertirse en — This verb phrase typically means "to change into" or "to turn into." It typically suggests a major change. Although less common, transformarse en can be used in much the same way.

Es el día que me convertí en mujer. It is the day I became a woman.

Me convertí en una persona mucho más feliz. I turned into a much happier person.

Pasar a ser — This phrase suggests change that occurs in the course of events. It is often translated as "to go on to be."

Europa pasaba a ser el mayor inversor. Europe came to be the biggest investor.

There are some other choices here and here

Such as: Joining an organization or religious order or when changing religious or political affiliation you can use 'meterse a' + 'the name'.

But beware some verbs include the meaning 'to become' such as: reflexive verbs for changes in emotion (Me alegré al ver el hospital.), 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(se) 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

Una explicación en español:

volverse: para describir un cambio rápido y a veces duradero.

Para mí, lleva una connotación negativa.

En estos últimos años, él se ha vuelto muy violento. Por tanta droga, él se volvió loco.

hacerse: cambio relacionado con la profesión, religión, política o ideología.

Un cambio voluntario.

Por leer tantos libros sobre el socialismo se hizo comunista.

convertirse en: (sólo con sustantivo)...

un cambio radical por las circunstancias, una transformación importante física

El príncipe se convirtió en una rana por el hechizo de la bruja.

ponerse: (con adjetivo)...

un cambio accidental y no definitivo

Luisa, después de escuchar la noticia, se puso pálida. Cuando me vio, él se puso nervioso

llegar a ser:

un cambio gradual, producto de un proceso

Picasso llegó a ser un gran pintor.

quedarse: expresa una condición permanente que tiene que ver con una consecuencia también

Por su problema con licor, se quedó solo.

Here's another explanation that I have found recently 20/9/2011 that may also be useful: (It wasn't given by a native so please let me know if any parts are incorrect.)

"hacerse" is usually used with expressions that are normally used with "ser": so, that means with all nouns (because it's always "x es sustantivo"; never "*x está sustantivo") and also with adjectives that are usually used with "ser".

"ponerse" is usually used with expressions that are used with "estar".

In my opinion, "quedarse" always has the meaning of being left in a certain state (permanent or not) as the result of something.

"convertirse", in my opinion, is used to express a change of nature, but with a more or less active participation of the subject in the change process.

"volverse" (edited gracias a Luis) used to describe changes in mental and physical states: Se volvió blanco. Se volvió humo. Including changes in form, aspect or state: Se volvió millonario. Se volvió ateo. Se volvió loco. In certain liquids, to become acid, sour or vinegar: Se volvió vinagre.

THE GAME

Given: A sentence in English including the phrase 'to become'.

Translation: Into Spanish.

Reason: Why did you choose that particular verb.

New Sentence: Another sentence in English including the phrase 'to become'.

• Fabulous topic for a game! Kiwi Girl is a first-class Game-Master! - pesta Nov 1, 2010
• Gracias Pesta :) glad you like it! - Kiwi_Girl Nov 1, 2010
• Big thanks for following up on this! I look forward to lots of play and practice. I'll be back! - sagiia Nov 2, 2010
• great stuff :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 2, 2010
• You mean "engordar(se)" above, right? - pesta Nov 3, 2010
View 18 more commments >>

Answer 1

Given:

I become enraged when I hear about police misconduct.

Me enfado cuando oígo hablar de la mala conducta de policía.

Reason:

I hope it's OK but I went to the link for options enfarse=I get angry Volverse seemed like a viable choice but I just didn't like it. I can't wait to see how I screwed it up.

New: This game could become very popular.

• Mostly, I just wanted to bump it up because it is a good game. - Yeser007 Nov 3, 2010
• aw, thanx :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 4, 2010
• We don't say "oír de". Options: "cuando me entero de la mala...", "cuando oígo hablar de la..." - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010
• thanks so much for your help Lazarus :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 6, 2010
• enfadarse = to get angry - Eddy Sep 13, 2011
View 1 more commments >>

Answer 2

Given:

The old theatre became a restaurant.

Translated:

El viejo teatro se convirtió en un restaurante.

Reason:

I used convertirse due to a change to a thing rather than a person.

New Sentence:

I became upset when I saw how badly the work was done.

• Excellente, thanx for joining in :) convertirse is a great choice here - Kiwi_Girl Nov 1, 2010
• Good. - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 3

Given:

When you become used to the idea you will see that there's a good reason for it.

---

Translated:

Cuando te hagas a la idea, verás que hay un buen motivo para ello.

---

Reason:

Hacerse a la idea is an idiom that means, acostumbrarse a, familiarizarse con, this is "to be used to something".

---

New Sentence:

Some people on this Forum have become friends.

• some people 'on' this forum ... :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 3, 2010
• :) Thanks, MC - cogumela Nov 3, 2010

Answer 4

Given:

John became a priest.

Translation:

Juan se metió a cura

Reason:

Joining an organization or religious order or when changing religious or political affiliation you can use 'meterse a' + 'the name'.

New Sentence:

I become sad when I see you like this.

• Good. - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 5

Given:

I became upset when I saw how badly the work was done.

Translation:

Me molestó ver lo mal que se realizó el trabajo.

Reason:

Molestarse means to become bothered by something.

New sentence:

Julie always wanted to become a horse trainer.

• If you are the one getting upset I think it should be 'me' instead of 'se' but good choice of verb :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 1, 2010
• Thank you, M-C. Dumb mistake. So concerned about the verb I forgot to conjugate it!!! - Echoline Nov 1, 2010
• je je :) - Kiwi_Girl Nov 1, 2010
• Your sentence would mean "(Someone) bothered me when he saw how badly...". You have to say "Me molesto ver lo mal...", since the phrase "ver lo mal..." is the subject of the sentence. It is that fact what bothers me. - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 6

Given:Some people on this Forum have become friends.

Translated: Algunas personas en este foro pasaron a ser amigos.

Reason: I picked pasar because it is something that changes with time. Not much time though!

New sentence: When did Marie-Claire become Kiwi Girl? (I must have been dozing)

• While it is not wrong, it sounds a bit strange. I'd definitely say "se han hecho", but "se hicieron" would be fine too. - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 7

Given: When did Marie-Claire become Kiwi Girl? (I must have been dozing)

Translated: ¿Cuándo se volvió Marie-Claire a Kiwi Girl? (Debía estar echando un sueñecito)

Reason: Well, I'm not sure if I should have used "hacerse" or "volverse" here. I would have liked to use "convertirse," but isn't that just for objects and not people, yes?

New sentence:

I become enraged when I hear about police misconduct.

• Transformar(se) en algo’; ‘hacer que [alguien] cambie, o cambiar [uno mismo], de religión’ y ‘pasar [algo] de un sistema de medida a otro’ - Kiwi_Girl Nov 3, 2010
• That's from RAE Marianne, having read your comment I just thought I'd do a double check, that first reference work I found did say 'usually' things so I guess it didn't totally rule out people but it does seem less commonly applied to people. I'm not - Kiwi_Girl Nov 3, 2010
• sure if there's any particular rule? Do you read to change 'religion only' from the above? or that's just an example? - Kiwi_Girl Nov 3, 2010
• There is something strange about that sentence. Options: "¿Cuándo se convirtió Marie-Claire en Kiwi Girl? - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 8

Given:

This game could become very popular.

Translation:

Este juego podría llegar a ser muy popular.

Reason:

Followed by an adjective.

New sentence:

How did you become so fascinating?

• excellente - Kiwi_Girl Nov 4, 2010
• Muy bien! - LuisCacheux Sep 13, 2011

Answer 9

Given: How did you become so fascinating? **

Translated: ¿Cómo llegaste a ser tan fascinante?

Reason: Llegar a ser when followed by an adjective and indicating a change brought about by effort.

New Sentence: This town becomes a big party every weekend.

• Good. - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010

Answer 10

Given:

The old sailor finally got (became) sick of the sea.

Translated:

El viejo marinero, finalmente se puso harto del mar.

Edit: (thanx L) El viejo marinero, finalmente se harto del mar.

Reason:

Ponerse for emotional change

New Sentence:

Oh my goodness she's become really fat!

• We don't say that, because we have a verb (well, more than one) for "getting sick": Try "se hartó del mar". - lazarus1907 Nov 6, 2010
• Thanx L I did wonder about that. - Kiwi_Girl Nov 6, 2010

Answer 11

Given: Watch your thoughts for they become your destiny.

Translation: Observa tus pensamientos porque se convierten en tu destino.

Reason: Convertirse is used because one thing changes/becomes another (thoughts and destiny are both abstract things)

New Sentence: How did she become involved with a married man?

• I was thinking pasar a ser. - sagiia Nov 6, 2010
• I'd have used "cuida" or "vigila" to translate that "watch", but otherwise it seems fine. - lazarus1907 Nov 7, 2010

Answer 12

Given:

He has become very bossy lately!

Translated:

¡Se ha vuelto muy mandon últimamente!

New Sentence:

He became the manager of the store.

• ...muy mandón. Excelente! - LuisCacheux Sep 13, 2011

Answer 13

Given:

It will become clearer in the morning.

Translated:

Llegará a ser más claro en la mañana.

or Pasará a ser más claro en la mañana

Reason:

I think that llegar a ser can also be used for gradual change

or pasar with passing of time

New Sentence:

The students didn't get hungry.

Edit - gracias a Deanski

Se despejará por la mañana.

• Thanks for bumping this up. - pesta Sep 11, 2011
• I'd say: "Se despejará *por* la mañana." - Deanski Sep 12, 2011
• ah true, there are some great verbs in Spanish aren't there :) - Kiwi_Girl Sep 12, 2011

Answer 14

Given:

I must say, I'm getting a bit sick of your attitude young lady!

Translated:

¡Debo decir, me puse pongo un poca harta de tu actitud, señorita!

Reason:

We have an involuntary physical or emotional change, gradually brought about by the young lady's attitude. This is expressed using ponerse followed by an adjective. Since the speaker is female, "harta" is feminine.

New Sentence:

I drove around in the parking lot until a place became available.

• Good try Pesta - remember though that it's in the present tense 'Im getting' not 'I got' - want to have another try? :) - Kiwi_Girl Sep 13, 2011
• Thanks, Kiwi. How's that correction? - pesta Sep 13, 2011
• I was just thinking about 'I must say' for one thing maybe 'debo' would be more like should/ought but also maybe that would be better translated not so literally, maybe something like 'caray' - (I shy away from Díos mío - Kiwi_Girl Sep 13, 2011
• Do you think that's "harto" even though the speaker is feminine and describing herself? - pesta Sep 14, 2011

Answer 15

Given:

I drove around in the parking lot until a place became available.

Translated:

Manejé alrededor el estacionamiento hasta un sitio se convertió libre.

Reason:

Use convertirse for a object or thing.

New Sentence:

People are becoming to serious ... have fun with life.

• hmmm i would use convertirse for a real change like a conversion - how about quedarse because that can often be used like estar or even liberarse, that might work? Hopefully Luis will come back and help us je je - Kiwi_Girl Sep 13, 2011
• I didn't mean to choose such a difficult example, but I seem to do that parking thing pretty often! - pesta Sep 13, 2011
• lol :) - Kiwi_Girl Sep 13, 2011
• Hola, Kiwi. Muchas gracias por tu comentario. :) Yo diría algo así como: ...hasta que se desocupó un lugar. O quizá en forma más literal: ...hasta que hubo un lugar libre. - LuisCacheux Sep 20, 2011