Spanish Verbs of Change: Hacerse, Volverse, Ponerse, Quedarse

Spanish Verbs of Change: Hacerse, Volverse, Ponerse, Quedarse Learning Spanish is an exciting journey, but one of the trickier parts for many learners is mastering the verbs of change. These verbs are commonly used to express how people or things change over time, and they include hacerse, volverse, ponerse, and quedarse. In this tutorial, we’ll break down each verb and explain how to use them in different contexts. By the end, you'll feel more confident incorporating them into your everyday conversations. Let's dive in step by step!

Understanding Verbs of Change in Spanish

In Spanish, certain verbs are used specifically to talk about changes, whether they are temporary, permanent, voluntary, or involuntary. These verbs give you more precision when expressing changes in people's attitudes, physical states, or situations. The four most common verbs of change are:

• Hacerse
• Volverse
• Ponerse
• Quedarse

Each of these verbs has its own unique connotations and is used in specific contexts. We'll explore each one in detail.

1. Hacerse

What Does "Hacerse" Mean?

Hacerse is typically used to describe a change that is voluntary or intentional, usually involving effort or a process. The change often occurs gradually and is related to a profession, ideology, religion, or social status.

How to Use "Hacerse"

"Hacerse" is followed by a noun or an adjective, and it suggests that the subject has worked toward this change. Let’s look at some examples:

• Se hizo doctor. (He became a doctor.)
• Se hicieron amigos. (They became friends.)
• Se hizo famoso. (He became famous.)

In each of these cases, the change is seen as something that required effort or occurred over time.

Common Phrases with "Hacerse"

• Hacerse rico (to become rich)
• Hacerse viejo (to get old)
• Hacerse de noche (to get dark)

As you can see, "hacerse" often implies that the subject took action or that the change was inevitable over time.

2. Volverse

What Does "Volverse" Mean?

Volverse is used to describe an involuntary or unexpected change, often referring to a transformation in character, behavior, or attitude. This verb is typically used with adjectives, and the change is usually permanent.

How to Use "Volverse"

This verb suggests that the change happened unexpectedly or as a result of a significant event. Let’s look at some examples:

• Se volvió loco. (He went crazy.)
• Te has vuelto muy antipático. (You've become very unfriendly.)
• Mi hermana se volvió más responsable. (My sister became more responsible.)

In these cases, "volverse" emphasizes that the change was not something planned or expected.

Common Phrases with "Volverse"

• Volverse loco (to go crazy)
• Volverse egoísta (to become selfish)
• Volverse insoportable (to become unbearable)

Notice how "volverse" tends to indicate changes that are more personal and often relate to mental or emotional states.

3. Ponerse

What Does "Ponerse" Mean?

Ponerse is generally used to describe temporary changes, often related to emotions, physical appearance, or health. The change can be quick and reversible.

How to Use "Ponerse"

When using "ponerse," the focus is on a state that can change back quickly. This verb is typically followed by an adjective and can refer to both physical and emotional changes. Let’s see some examples:

• Se puso triste. (He became sad.)
• Me puse nervioso. (I got nervous.)
• Te has puesto muy guapa. (You’ve become very beautiful.)

In these cases, "ponerse" refers to a change in mood or appearance that may not last forever.

Common Phrases with "Ponerse"

• Ponerse enfermo (to get sick)
• Ponerse rojo (to turn red)
• Ponerse nervioso (to get nervous)

As you can see, "ponerse" is ideal for describing changes that are quick and often tied to emotions or physical conditions.

4. Quedarse

What Does "Quedarse" Mean?

Quedarse is used to describe a change that is often the result of an external event, and it typically implies a more permanent or lasting result. This verb is frequently used with adjectives and expresses a state that remains after a particular event.

How to Use "Quedarse"

"Quedarse" suggests that the subject was left in a particular state due to something that happened. Let’s see some examples:

• Se quedó sorprendido. (He was left surprised.)
• Después del accidente, se quedó ciego. (After the accident, he was left blind.)
• Nos quedamos sin dinero. (We were left without money.)

In these cases, "quedarse" often suggests a more permanent state, especially after an unexpected or significant event.

Common Phrases with "Quedarse"

• Quedarse solo (to be left alone)
• Quedarse embarazada (to become pregnant)
• Quedarse sin palabras (to be left speechless)

"Quedarse" often implies a more lasting result, where the subject has little control over the change.

Comparing "Hacerse," "Volverse," "Ponerse," and "Quedarse"

To better understand the differences between these verbs, let’s compare them in a table. This will help you see how each verb is used and what kind of change it refers to.

Verb	Type of Change	Examples
Hacerse	Voluntary, gradual change (usually profession or status)	Se hizo rico. (He became rich.)
Volverse	Involuntary, unexpected, often permanent	Se volvió loco. (He went crazy.)
Ponerse	Temporary change, often emotional or physical	Se puso triste. (He became sad.)
Quedarse	Result of an event, often more permanent	Se quedó ciego. (He was left blind.)

Key Points to Remember

• Hacerse is for voluntary changes that take effort or time, often related to profession or social status.
• Volverse describes involuntary or unexpected changes, often related to personality or behavior.
• Ponerse is used for temporary changes, especially related to emotions or health.
• Quedarse describes the result of an event, often with a more permanent or lasting effect.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Let’s put your understanding to the test! Choose the correct verb (hacerse, volverse, ponerse, quedarse) for each sentence below:

1. Después de escuchar la noticia, ella __________ triste.
2. Con el tiempo, él __________ muy famoso en su ciudad.
3. Cuando vio el accidente, se __________ sin palabras.
4. Después de años de estudio, se __________ abogado.
5. Mi amigo __________ muy serio después del problema.
6. Con la edad, él se __________ más paciente.

I hope this tutorial has helped you understand the nuances of Spanish verbs of change! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using these verbs with confidence in your conversations. Happy learning!

1. More Examples with "Hacerse"

As mentioned, hacerse is typically used for changes that are voluntary or involve effort. It’s often related to professions, ideologies, or social status.

• Después de estudiar en la universidad, se hizo ingeniero. (After studying at university, he became an engineer.)
• Con los años, se hizo más paciente. (Over the years, he became more patient.)
• Mi primo se hizo vegetariano el año pasado. (My cousin became a vegetarian last year.)
• Ella se hizo experta en tecnología. (She became an expert in technology.)
• Los jóvenes se hicieron muy activos en política. (The young people became very active in politics.)

In each case, hacerse refers to a change that took time, effort, or conscious choice.

2. More Examples with "Volverse"

Volverse expresses changes that are often involuntary, surprising, or unexpected, especially when describing personality or emotional changes.

• Con los años, se volvió más distante con su familia. (Over the years, he became more distant with his family.)
• Desde que perdió su trabajo, se ha vuelto muy pesimista. (Since he lost his job, he has become very pessimistic.)
• De repente, se volvió muy tímido en las reuniones. (Suddenly, he became very shy in meetings.)
• Mi tía se volvió muy religiosa después de su viaje a la India. (My aunt became very religious after her trip to India.)
• Cuando murió su perro, se volvió más sensible a los animales. (When his dog died, he became more sensitive to animals.)

With volverse, the focus is on changes that happen to a person unexpectedly or involuntarily, often relating to their personality or behavior.

3. More Examples with "Ponerse"

Ponerse is used to describe temporary or quick changes, often emotional or physical. These changes tend to be short-lived.

• Cuando le dijeron la noticia, se puso muy contento. (When they told him the news, he became very happy.)
• Al entrar en la sala, me puse nervioso. (When I entered the room, I got nervous.)
• Después de correr tanto, te has puesto rojo. (After running so much, you’ve turned red.)
• Cuando vio la película, se puso a llorar. (When she saw the movie, she started to cry.)
• En invierno, me pongo enfermo muy fácilmente. (In winter, I get sick very easily.)

With ponerse, the change is often something that can happen quickly or temporarily, especially emotions or physical conditions like blushing or getting sick.

4. More Examples with "Quedarse"

Quedarse describes a lasting result from a situation or event, and it often emphasizes how the subject remains in a particular state.

• Después del accidente, se quedó en silla de ruedas. (After the accident, he ended up in a wheelchair.)
• Al escuchar las malas noticias, me quedé sin palabras. (When I heard the bad news, I was left speechless.)
• Después del terremoto, se quedaron sin casa. (After the earthquake, they were left without a home.)
• Cuando me fui de viaje, mi gato se quedó solo en casa. (When I went on a trip, my cat was left alone at home.)
• Tras la operación, se quedó sordo. (After the operation, he was left deaf.)

With quedarse, the change usually results from an external event and is often a more permanent or lasting state, like a physical condition or a situation where the subject has little control.

Additional Scenarios for Each Verb

Let's explore a few more scenarios where each verb is used.

Using "Hacerse" for Career and Status

• Con esfuerzo y dedicación, se hizo un gran empresario. (With effort and dedication, he became a great businessman.)
• Después de muchos años, finalmente se hizo ciudadano de España. (After many years, he finally became a citizen of Spain.)
• Mi amiga se hizo profesora de historia. (My friend became a history teacher.)

Using "Volverse" for Personality Changes

• Después de la traición, se volvió muy desconfiado. (After the betrayal, he became very distrustful.)
• Desde que ganó la lotería, se ha vuelto muy arrogante. (Since he won the lottery, he has become very arrogant.)
• Cuando murió su padre, se volvió una persona más seria. (When his father died, he became a more serious person.)

Using "Ponerse" for Emotions and Temporary States

• En la entrevista, me puse muy nervioso. (In the interview, I got very nervous.)
• Con la llegada de su hermana, se puso muy emocionada. (With her sister's arrival, she became very excited.)
• Cuando vio el regalo, se puso a gritar de alegría. (When she saw the gift, she started to shout with joy.)

Using "Quedarse" for Results of Situations

• Después de la tormenta, se quedaron sin electricidad. (After the storm, they were left without electricity.)
• Cuando su perro murió, se quedó solo en la casa. (When his dog died, he was left alone in the house.)
• Tras la operación, se quedó en el hospital por varios días. (After the operation, he stayed in the hospital for several days.)

Summary: When to Use Each Verb

Here’s a quick summary of how to decide which verb to use when talking about changes in Spanish:

• Use hacerse for voluntary, intentional changes, especially related to professions, status, or gradual personal changes.
• Use volverse for unexpected, involuntary changes, often concerning personality or behavior.
• Use ponerse for temporary or emotional changes, especially those related to mood or physical appearance.
• Use quedarse for changes that are the result of an event, often implying a more permanent or lasting result.

Extended Quiz: More Practice Questions

Try these additional questions to further test your understanding:

1. Cuando le dijeron la verdad, él __________ muy sorprendido.
2. Mi amiga __________ muy famosa después de publicar su libro.
3. Con el tiempo, ella __________ una persona muy respetada en su trabajo.
4. Tras la discusión, él __________ muy callado.
5. Cuando se enteró de la noticia, __________ a llorar.
6. Después de la crisis, mucha gente __________ sin empleo.
7. Mi abuela __________ muy religiosa en su vejez.
8. Después de correr, siempre __________ muy cansado.

I hope these extra examples and the extended quiz help you feel even more confident with these verbs of change. Keep practicing, and soon these expressions will become second nature!