acostumbrar
“acostumbrar” means “to be in the habit of” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to be in the habit of
Also: to usually do
📝 In Action
Acostumbro a leer antes de dormir.
A2I am in the habit of reading before sleeping.
Ellos acostumbran a cenar muy tarde.
B1They usually have dinner very late.
Como se acostumbra en este país, tomamos una siesta.
B2As is customary in this country, we take a nap.
to get used to
Also: to become accustomed
📝 In Action
Me estoy acostumbrando a mi nueva casa.
A2I am getting used to my new house.
Te acostumbrarás al frío pronto.
B1You will get used to the cold soon.
Es difícil acostumbrarse a un nuevo horario.
B1It is hard to get used to a new schedule.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
🔀 Commonly Confused With
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: acostumbrar
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'I'm getting used to the noise'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'consuetudo' (meaning custom or habit). The Spanish word evolved from 'costumbre' (habit) by adding a prefix and suffix to turn it into an action word.
First recorded: 13th Century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'acostumbrar' and 'soler'?
They both mean 'to usually do.' 'Soler' is much more common in conversation, while 'acostumbrar' sounds a bit more formal or emphasizes that it is a specific habit.
Why do I sometimes see 'me' with this word?
When you use 'me, te, se, nos, os', it means 'to get used to' (the process of adapting). Without those words, it usually means 'to be in the habit of'.
Does it always need the letter 'a'?
Almost always! Use 'a' before an action (acostumbro a leer) and 'a' before a thing you are getting used to (me acostumbro al calor).