To Become: the many various ways become can be translated.

Question

Somewhere, once upon a time, I came across a page with an excellent explanation of the many various ways to translate to become into Spanish and the whens, whys and wherefors of how to use them. Unfortunately , I forgot to save it to my favorites and now I can't seem to find it again. Please can anyone recommend a good reference article about how to translate become? Or does anyone care to enlighten me and others here in this thread?

Some recent examples that I have come across using to become are:

He had become quite proficient at telling jokes. Which I think would be Se había hecho muy habiles en contar chistes. But on the other hand could be Había llegado a ser muy habiles en contar chistes.

Did you ever dream of becoming president? Which I think might be ¿Soñaste alguna vez de llegar a ser presidente?

There are so many more ways it can be translated depending on context, but these are all the examples I have for right now. Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

This one's quite good To Become

This would probably make a good challenge for one of your games, ¿verdad? - sagiia, Oct 31, 2010

¡Un mil gracias! That is the one for which I was searching. Now I can finish my answer to your elephant man comedian post. - sagiia, Oct 31, 2010

de nada :) Oh good I was wondering if any would be brave enough :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 1, 2010

I chose Kiwi's answer because it was the kind of quick at a gance reference that I needed at this time. I did watch ParaLee's video also, thank you Jeezle and KevinB, and I would highly recommend it folks who are new to the concept of translating become. - sagiia, Nov 1, 2010

Well Sagiia, I took you up on your idea and here's the game :) http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/163709/g-a-m-e-to-become - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 1, 2010

Answer 2

There is a good lesson here on this very topic. I highly recommend it.

Thanks Kevinb, I did the watch section and it has terrified me to see that which is ahead of me . Ignorance realy Is bliss! - ray76, Nov 1, 2010

Gracias. - sagiia, Nov 1, 2010

Answer 3

If it's permanent convertirse is usually the one to use, or hacerse..... although llegar a ser does work. Remember you don't dream OF something but with it. ¿Alguna vez soñaste con ser Presidente? I usually find reference materials quite dry. Paralee has a good video course on it though.

Se hizo maestro. She became a teacher.

Paralee has one on to become? Because I did search and didn't find one. - sagiia, Oct 31, 2010

Gracias por el recordatorio sobre "sonar con". - sagiia, Oct 31, 2010

3.14 is "to become with ponerse" but I know she has one on the four major ones. Ponerse, hacerse, convertirse, and volver. - jeezzle, Oct 31, 2010