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"Convertirse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to become", and "llegar a ser" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "to become". Learn more about the difference between "convertirse" and "llegar a ser" below.
convertirse(
kohm
-
behr
-
teer
-
seh
)
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to become
Se convirtió en millonario de la noche a la mañana.He became a millionaire overnight.
b. to turn into
El pueblecito de pescadores se ha convertido en un lugar turístico.The small fishing village has turned into a tourist resort.
a. to convert to
Me convertí al judaísmo para casarme con mi amada.I converted to Judaism to marry my love.
convertir
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to turn into
Jesús convirtió el agua en vino.Jesus turned water into wine.
b. to change into
El trabajo lo había convertido en un hombre aburrido.Work had changed him into a boring man.
c. to make
Vivir juntas las convirtió en buenas amigas.Living together made them good friends.
a. to convert
Aquella charla lo convirtió a la idea.He was converted to the idea by the talk.
a. to convert
Los misioneros convirtieron al catolicismo a muchos nativos en África.The missionaries converted many natives in Africa to Catholicism.
a. to convert into
¿Cómo conviertes yardas en metros?How do you convert yards into meters?
a. to score (in soccer and basketball)
El jugador convirtió el penal.The player scored the penalty kick.
b. to convert (in American football and rugby)
Convirtió el ensayo y anotó dos puntos más para su equipo.He converted the try and scored two extra points for his team.
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llegar a ser(
yeh
-
gahr
 
ah
 
sehr
)
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
transitive verb phrase
a. to become
Nadie podía imaginar que una modesta maestra de escuela rural llegaría a ser la presidenta de la nación.No one could ever imagine that a modest rural schoolteacher would become the nation's president.
b. to get to be
No llegarás a ser un buen pintor si no practicas mucho.You'll never get to be a good painter if you don't practice a lot.
c. to come to be
Galván llegó a ser uno de los mejores actores de su generación.Galvan came to be one of the best actors of his generation.
d. to make it to
No sé cómo un músico tan mediocre llegó a ser primer violín.I don't know how such a poor musician made it to first violin.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.