Spanish 1000
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B117 min read

Verbs of change

ponerse, hacerse, quedarse, volverse — how people and things change (Spain Spanish)

In this guide6 sections
  1. Four ways to say “become” or “get”
  2. ponerse — temporary states & emotions
  3. hacerse — deliberate change & roles
  4. quedarse — resulting state
  5. volverse — radical or negative change
  6. Practice 1 — 10 questions

Four ways to say “become” or “get”

Spanish uses different verbs for types of change . All take adjectives (or nouns with hacerse ). At B1, learn the core contrast:

• ponerse — temporary state or emotion
• hacerse — deliberate change, profession/role
• quedarse — resulting state, often permanent
• volverse — radical or negative change

ponerse — temporary states & emotions

Ponerse + adjective = get / become (usually temporary ): emotions, health, colour.

Se puso nervioso · Me pongo rojo · Nos pusimos contentos

  • Se puso muy nervioso antes del examen.He got very nervous before the exam.
  • Me pongo rojo cuando hablo en público.I go red when I speak in public.
  • ¿Te has puesto malo?Have you got ill?
  • Nos pusimos muy contentos con la noticia.We became very happy with the news.
  • Os pusisteis tristes al enteraros.You all became sad when you found out.
  • Se pone furioso si le contradicen.He gets furious if people contradict him.

hacerse — deliberate change & roles

Hacerse + adjective/noun = become through effort or choice : profession, ideology, social role.

Se hizo médico · Se hizo rico · Me hice vegetariano

  • Se hizo médico después de muchos años.He became a doctor after many years.
  • Mi hermana se hizo profesora.My sister became a teacher.
  • Se hicieron ricos con el negocio.They became rich with the business.
  • ¿Os habéis hecho veganos?Have you all become vegan?
  • Se hizo famoso de la noche a la mañana.He became famous overnight.
  • Me hice socio del gimnasio.I became a member of the gym.

quedarse — resulting state

Quedarse + adjective = end up / be left in a state — often lasting or the result of an event.

Se quedó sordo · Me quedé sin palabras · Nos quedamos sorprendidos

  • Se quedó sordo del oído izquierdo.He was left deaf in his left ear.
  • Me quedé sin palabras.I was left speechless.
  • Nos quedamos sorprendidos con el regalo.We were surprised by the gift.
  • ¿Os habéis quedado sin batería?Have you all run out of battery?
  • Se quedó viudo hace dos años.He was widowed two years ago.
  • La puerta se quedó abierta.The door was left open.

volverse — radical or negative change

Volverse + adjective = turn into / become — often sudden , extreme , or negative personality change.

Se volvió loco · Se ha vuelto muy serio

  • Se volvió loco de remate.He went completely crazy.
  • Desde el accidente se ha vuelto muy serio.Since the accident he has become very serious.
  • Se volvieron famosos de repente.They suddenly became famous.
  • ¿Te has vuelto loco? ¡No hagas eso!Have you gone mad? Do not do that!
  • Os habéis vuelto muy exigentes.You all have become very demanding.
  • El niño se volvió tímido al cambiar de colegio.The boy became shy when he changed schools.

Practice 1 — 10 questions

He got nervous before the exam →

She became a doctor →

I was left speechless →

He went crazy →

I go red when I speak in public →

They became rich →

We were surprised by the gift →

Have you all become vegan? →

He has become very serious →

The door was left open →