A smiling young child is sitting comfortably and relaxed on the back of a large, gentle golden retriever dog, illustrating familiarity and being accustomed to something.

acostumbrado

ah-kohs-toom-BRAH-doh

AdjectivemB1

used to?familiar with something,accustomed?formal equivalent of 'used to'

Also:in the habit of?describing a routine

📝 In Action

No te preocupes por el frío; ya estoy acostumbrado a estas temperaturas.

Don't worry about the cold; I'm already used to these temperatures.

Ella está acostumbrada a leer un libro antes de dormir.

She is accustomed to reading a book before sleeping.

Los niños no están acostumbrados a comer verduras.

The children are not used to eating vegetables.

Word Connections

Synonyms

habituado (habituated)
familiarizado (familiarized)

Antonyms

desacostumbrado (unaccustomed)
extraño (strange, unfamiliar)

Common Collocations

estar acostumbrado a – to be used to (doing something)
hacerse acostumbrado – to get used to

💡 Grammar Points

The Essential 'a'

You must always use the preposition 'a' (to) after 'acostumbrado' to connect it to the thing or action you are used to: 'acostumbrado a los ruidos' or 'acostumbrado a trabajar'.

The Verb 'Estar'

Since being 'used to' something is usually a temporary state or feeling, you almost always use the verb 'estar' (to be) with 'acostumbrado', not 'ser'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Missing the Preposition

Mistake: "Estoy acostumbrado el frío."

Correction: Estoy acostumbrado AL frío. (Remember the 'a', which combines with 'el' to form 'al'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Talking About Actions

If you are used to DOING an action (like running or waiting), follow 'acostumbrado a' with the infinitive (the base -ar, -er, or -ir form): 'Estoy acostumbrado a esperar'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: acostumbrado

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'acostumbrada' to say 'She is used to the noise'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

acostumbrar(to accustom, to be in the habit of) - verb

costumbre(custom, habit) - noun

acostumbrarse(to get used to, to become accustomed) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use 'acostumbrado' versus the verb 'soler'?

'Acostumbrado' (used with 'estar') describes a state: 'I am used to it.' 'Soler' is a verb that describes a repeated action in the present or past: 'Suelo levantarme tarde' (I usually get up late). They are not interchangeable.

Does 'acostumbrado' change form?

Yes! Because it acts as an adjective, it must match the person or thing it describes in gender and number. Examples: 'acostumbrado' (masculine singular), 'acostumbrada' (feminine singular), 'acostumbrados' (masculine plural).