---
title: "🔄 To become in Spanish: How to express change in Spanish 🧐"
description: Discover how to express 'to become' in Spanish with verbs like convertirse, ponerse, volverse, and hacerse. Learn when to use each one in everyday situations! 🌟
image: https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/Imagen%20-%20Post%20-%203%20best%20ways-Aug-28-2025-10-23-40-6472-AM.jpg
---

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# 🔄 To become in Spanish: How to express change in Spanish 🧐

[Andrea Rey](https://blog.soyguiri.com/author/andrea-rey)  August 29 2025

In Spanish, expressing the idea of **'becoming'** is not as simple as translating one word. There are **several verbs** used depending on **the type of change** or transformation that’s being described. These verbs are key to expressing different states, emotions, or even personal transformations! 🎉

In this blog, we’ll dive into the **four main verbs** for **'to become'** in Spanish, explaining when to use each one in different contexts, along with helpful examples, tips, and pronunciation guides. Let’s get started! 👇

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## **1️⃣ What is the verb 'to become' in Spanish?**

There are several ways to express **'to become'** in Spanish, and each verb is used for a **specific type of change**. Here's a breakdown:

🔄 **Convertirse en** (*to turn into, to become something completely different*) 

This verb is used for total **transformations** and can refer to both **physical** and **abstract** changes.

**Example**: *El príncipe se convirtió en sapo*. 🐸 *(The prince turned into a frog.)*

👂

0:02

 

🌱 **Volverse** *(to turn, to become, typically with personality)* 

**Volverse** refers to a sudden or **unexpected change**, especially in **personality** or **behaviour**. It’s used when someone’s character or attitude changes dramatically.

**Example**: *Se volvió muy amable después de conocerla.* 💖 *(He became very kind after meeting her.)*

👂

0:02

 

🌞 **Ponerse** *(to become, used for temporary changes in state)* 

**Ponerse** is used when there is a **temporary** change, usually related to **emotions**, **health**, or **colour**.

**Example**: *Me puse nervioso antes del examen.* 😰 *(I became nervous before the exam.)*

👂

0:02

 

👩‍💼 **Hacerse** *(to become, a voluntary change or transformation, often related to professions or personal development)* 

This verb is used when **someone voluntarily becomes** something, such as a **profession** or a **belief system**.

**Example**: *Se hizo vegetariano para mejorar su salud.* 🥗 *(He became vegetarian to improve his health.)*

👂

0:02

 

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## **2️⃣ What is the difference between 'convertirse' and 'volverse'?🤔**

Both **convertirse** and **volverse** mean “to become,” but they’re used in different contexts depending on the kind of change you're talking about. Let’s dive in and see how they differ! 🌟

**🔄 Convertirse en**: This verb is used when there’s a **complete transformation**. Imagine something changing into something entirely different, like **water turning into ice** 🧊 or **a caterpillar turning into a butterfly** 🦋. It refers to a **drastic** and **permanent change**. When you say something **se convierte en** (it turns into), you are usually talking about something big, something that alters the very essence of the thing. 

For example: ❄️*El agua se convierte en hielo cuando hace frío*.*(Water turns into ice when it’s cold.)*

👂

0:02

 

**🧠 Volverse**: On the other hand, **volverse** is about a **sudden change**, often related to **personality or emotional shifts**. It’s not as permanent or physical as **convertirse**, but more about a **shift in attitude** or how someone **feels**. Think of it as a **gradual transformation** in someone's behavior, attitude, or even personality. 💭

For example: ***Se volvió** optimista después de la terapia. 💪 (He became optimistic after therapy.)*

👂

0:02

💡 **Quick tip**:

**💪 Convertirse** = **Complete physical change** – something entirely different! 

**🧘‍♀️ Volverse** = **Sudden emotional or personality change** – it’s more about how someone reacts or feels. 

## **3️⃣ Does 'ponerse' mean 'to become'? 😕**

Yes, **'ponerse'** can mean **“to become”**, but **only for temporary states** or **emotions**. 🌟 It's the perfect verb when describing how **feelings**, **moods**, or even **physical changes** happen suddenly or last for a short period. ⏳

### 🌞 **When do we use 'ponerse'?**

You’ll often hear it used with **adjectives** to talk about things like **emotions**, **moods**, or **temporary changes** in **appearance**. 💭 Let’s take a look at some examples: 👀

**Example**: **😳 Me puse** rojo cuando me hicieron un cumplido. *(I became red when they gave me a compliment.)*

👂

0:02

**💬 Explanation**: This is a **temporary** change in appearance (flushing from a compliment). 

 

**Example**: 😢 **Se puso** triste después de escuchar las noticias.  *(He became sad after hearing the news.)*

👂

0:03

**💔 Explanation**: A temporary **emotional** reaction to something that happened. 

📝 **Remember**: **Ponerse** is **not** for **permanent changes**! ❌ It's used for **temporary emotional states** or **physical reactions** that happen in the moment. So next time you're feeling a little **nervous**, **excited**, or even **embarrassed**, you can use **ponerse** to describe it! 🙌

**⏳ So, in short**: **Ponerse** = **Temporary change** (emotion, appearance, or state). 

## 4️⃣ **What is the difference between 'hacerse' and 'volverse'?** 🤓

When learning **Spanish**, it’s important to know the **subtle differences** between verbs like **'hacerse'** and **'volverse'**. These two verbs both mean **'to become'**, but they are used in **different contexts** depending on whether the change is **voluntary** or **involuntary**. Let's explore them! 🌟

🔄 **Hacerse** *(Voluntary change)* 💪

**'Hacerse'** is used when the change is **voluntary** and often requires **effort** or **work**. It’s the verb you’ll use when someone **becomes** something after **deliberate effort**, such as achieving a goal or making a personal decision. 💼

**Example**: **Se hizo** doctor tras muchos años de esfuerzo. 🎓 *(He became a doctor after many years of hard work.)*

👂

0:03

 

⚡ Volverse *(Involuntary change)* 😲

**'Volverse'** refers to an **involuntary change**, often used to describe a **sudden** shift, especially in someone's **personality** or **behaviour**.🌀 This verb conveys a **change of attitude or nature** that happens almost without control.

**Example**: 😔 **Se volvió** muy introvertido después del accidente. *(He became very introverted after the accident.)*

👂

0:03

 

💡 **Tip**: Use **'hacerse'** when talking about something that takes **effort** or is **voluntary** (like choosing a profession, lifestyle, or goal). 🌱 Use **'volverse'** when describing a **sudden change**, especially in a person’s **character** or **attitude**. ⚡

**📝 In short**:  **Hacerse** = **Effortful change**    
                              **Volverse** = **Sudden change** 🌪

So, whether you're describing someone's **career transformation** or a **personality shift**, choosing the right verb will help you sound more **natural** in Spanish! ✨

## 5️⃣ **To become in Spanish: Conjugation examples** 📅

| Verb | Present | Preterite | Future |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Convertirse** | me convierto, te conviertes | me convertí, te convertiste | me convertiré,  te convertirás |
| **Volverse** | me vuelvo, te vuelves | me volví, te volviste | me volveré, te volverás |
| **Ponerse** | me pongo, te pones | me puse, te pusiste | me pondré, te pondrás |
| **Hacerse** | me hago, te haces | me hice, te hiciste | me haré, te harás |

**6️⃣ Other useful expressions with 'to become' in Spanish 😎**

Here are even **more expressions** and **phrases** that use **'to become'** in Spanish. These will help you sound fluent and natural when speaking Spanish. So, let's check them out! ✨

**🏍️ Ponerse como una moto** – To get excited or pumped up 😄

Example: *¡Cuando le dijeron la noticia, se puso como una moto! 👉 (When they told him the news, he got super excited!)*

👂

0:01

 

**🌀 Hacerse un lío** – I got confused 

Example: *Estaba explicando el problema, pero me hice un lío con los detalles.👉 (I was explaining the problem, but I got confused with the details.)*

👂

0:01

 

**😤 Ponerse en serio** – It gets serious 

Example: *Si quieres aprobar, tienes que **ponerte en serio**. 👉 (If you want to pass, you have to **get serious**.)*

👂

0:01

 

**⏰ Hacerse tarde** –  It’s getting late.

**Example:** *Vámonos ya, que se está **haciendo tarde**.* 👉 *(Let’s go now, it’s getting **late**.)*

👂

0:01

 

😡**Ponerse de mala leche** – To get really angry

Example: *Se puso de mala leche cuando supo que no podía ir. 👉 (He got really angry when he found out he couldn’t go.)*

👂

0:01

 

**🫣 Ponerse nervioso/a** – I get nervous 

Example: *Me pongo nervioso/a cuando hablo en público. 👉  (I get nervous when I speak in public.)*

👂

0:01

 

**🤷‍♂️ Hacerse el sueco** – To pretend not to know (literally, 'to act Swedish') 

Example: *Cuando pregunté por él, se hizo el sueco y no contestó. 👉 (When I asked for him, he pretended not to know and didn’t answer.)*

👂

0:01

 

🔋Ponerse las pilas– To get active or motivated ⚡

Example: *Se puso las pilas y terminó todo el trabajo antes de la fecha límite.  👉 (He got motivated and finished all the work before the deadline.)*

👂

0:01

 

**🤪 Volverse loco/a** – To go crazy, either in a fun way or because of stress 

Example: *¡Se volvió loco/a buscando las llaves! 👉 (He went crazy looking for the keys!)*

👂

0:01

 

**😢 Hacerse la víctima** – To play the victim (to exaggerate or feign being wronged) 

Example:*Siempre se hace la víctima, aunque sabe que cometió el error. 👉 (She always plays the victim, even though she knows she made the mistake.)*

👂

0:01

 

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🎉 **Conclusion – ¡to become, to change, to grow! 💭**

Learning how to express “to become” in Spanish is key to improving your vocabulary and speaking fluency. Each verb carries a specific meaning, from **emotions** to **physical transformations**, and helps you express changes in a clear and precise way. 🌍✨ Whether you're talking about a **sudden emotional change** or a **life decision**, Spanish offers a rich set of verbs to communicate effectively. 🌟

So, next time you find yourself feeling **happy**, **confused**, or **excited**, use these verbs to describe exactly how you’ve **become**! 🌈

## 🤓 Interactive quiz: to become in Spanish 🇪🇸✨

1\. 😡 Which verb would you use to say "She became angry"?

😠 Ponerse

🏆 Hacerse

🔄 Volverse

2\. 🎓 Which verb is used for professions or personal achievements?

😠 Ponerse

🏆 Hacerse

🔄 Volverse

3\. 🤪 "Él se volvió loco" means:

😢 He became sad

🤪 He became crazy

😊 He became happy

4\. 😬 "Me pongo nervioso antes del examen" means:

😬 I get nervous before the exam

😊 I get happy before the exam

😴 I get tired before the exam

5\. 🔄 Which expression would you use to describe a sudden change of personality?

😠 Ponerse

🏆 Hacerse

🔄 Volverse

✅ Check Answers

 

 

**🤔 Do you have any examples of changes or transformations in your life? Which verbs do you use most often when talking about emotional changes? 😄😢**

👇 Share them in the comments! Let's talk about how we 'become' in both our languages! 💬

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[Andrea Rey](https://blog.soyguiri.com/author/andrea-rey)

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