alcanzado
/al-kan-SAH-doh/
reached
A hiker who has reached the summit of a mountain.
alcanzado(adjective)
reached
?physical distance or status
,achieved
?goals or objectives
attained
?high levels or standards
📝 In Action
El nivel alcanzado por los estudiantes es excelente.
B1The level reached by the students is excellent.
Una vez alcanzado el éxito, no olvides tus raíces.
B2Once success is achieved, don't forget your roots.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
When used as a word to describe something (an adjective), it must match the gender of what it describes. For example: 'meta alcanzada' (goal reached) vs 'objetivo alcanzado' (objective reached).
⭐ Usage Tips
Success and Goals
Use this word when you want to sound a bit more formal or official about completing a task or reaching a specific milestone.
Being short of a goal, like a hand not quite touching a jar.
alcanzado(adjective)
short of
?usually referring to money or time
,hard up
?financial difficulty
behind
?struggling to keep up with payments
📝 In Action
Ando un poco alcanzado de dinero este mes.
B2I'm a bit short of money this month.
Llegamos muy alcanzados de tiempo a la reunión.
B2We arrived very short on time to the meeting.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Andar'
In many countries, people use the verb 'andar' (to walk/go around) with 'alcanzado' to say how they are currently doing, like 'Ando alcanzado'.
The moment someone has caught up to or reached another person.
📝 In Action
He alcanzado la cima de la montaña.
A2I have reached the top of the mountain.
¿Has alcanzado a ver el eclipse?
B1Did you manage to see the eclipse?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Haber' Rule
When you use 'alcanzado' after the verb 'haber' (like 'he alcanzado'), the ending NEVER changes. It always stays as 'alcanzado' regardless of who did the action.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion in Perfect Tenses
Mistake: "Ella ha alcanzada la meta."
Correction: Ella ha alcanzado la meta. Why? In compound tenses (using 'have done'), the 'done' word (past participle) is always masculine and singular.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alcanzado
Question 1 of 2
If you say 'Estamos alcanzados de dinero,' what are you saying?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'alcanzado' always mean 'reached'?
Mostly, yes! However, in many Spanish-speaking countries, it is also used figuratively to mean that you are very tired or, more commonly, that you are running out of money or time.
What is the difference between 'alcanzado' and 'logrado'?
'Alcanzado' focuses on the act of arriving at a point or level, while 'logrado' focuses on the success of the effort. They are often interchangeable when talking about goals.