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"Volverse" is a reflexive 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 "volverse" and "llegar a ser" below.
volverse(
bohl
-
behr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
2. (to be back)
a. to return
Se volvió a España porque no encontró trabajo acá.He returned to Spain because he couldn't find a job here.
b. to come back
Vuélvanse antes de que los agarre la tormenta.Come back before you get caught in the storm.
c. to go back
Me tuve que volver temprano para sacar al perro.I had to go back early to take the dog out.
a. to turn around
Me volví para enfrentar a los que me estaban insultando.I turned around to face those who were insulting me.
volver
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to be back)
a. to return
Vuelve con el recibo si quieres un crédito en la tienda.Return with the receipt if you want store credit.
c. to go back
Solo llevo una semana de vuelta pero ya quiero volver a España.I've only been back a week and I already want to go back to Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Tengo que volver a limpiarlo todo!I have to clean everything again!
Volverá a llover este fin de semana.It will rain again this weekend.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to swivel)
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.).
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.
