"To Become" in Spanish

There are several different Spanish equivalents for the English verb "to become," depending on several factors. (Note that in English, various verbs like "to get" and "to turn" are sometimes more idiomatic than the literal meaning "to become.") Ponerse is followed by an adjective and indicates an involuntary physical or emotional change. Me puse enfermo en Madrid. Ana se pone roja cuando habla. I got sick in Madrid. Ana turns red when she talks.

Volverse is followed by an adjective and indicates a sudden, profound change. Se volvi loco! Julio se ha vuelto imposible. He went crazy! Julio has become impossible.

Hacerse and llegar a ser are followed by a noun or adjective and indicate a change brought about by effort. Me hice mdico. Es posible hacerse rico en los EEUU? Llegars a ser abogado? Lleg a ser muy popular. I became a doctor. Is it possible to get rich in the US? Are you going to be a lawyer? 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 condicin se convirti en una emergencia mdica. La leche puede tranformarse en queso. The condition turned into a medical emergency. Milk can be turned into cheese.

There are also a number of Spanish verbs which express a specific change and tend to be somewhat more formal. When (se) is in parentheses, the verb may be used both intransitively and reflexively. adelgazar(se) cansarse emocionarse enfadarse enfermar enflaquecer(se) to become thin to get tired to get excited to become angry to become sick to become thin

enfurecerse engordar enloquecer(se) enmudecerse enojarse enorgullecerse enriquecerse enrojecer(se) ensordecer envejecer(se) palidecer

to become furious to become fat to go mad to become mute to get angry to become haughty to get rich to become red to become deaf to become old to become pale