convertirse
“convertirse” means “to become” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to become, to turn into
Also: to grow into
📝 In Action
Después de la universidad, se convirtió en profesora de historia.
A2After university, she became a history teacher.
El pequeño arroyo se convirtió en un río caudaloso tras la tormenta.
B1The small stream turned into a mighty river after the storm.
Mi sueño es convertirme en astronauta algún día.
B1My dream is to become an astronaut someday.
to convert
Also: to change faith
📝 In Action
Después de muchos años de estudio, la mujer se convirtió al budismo.
B2After many years of study, the woman converted to Buddhism.
Es difícil convencerlo de que se convierta a nuestra causa.
C1It is difficult to convince him to convert to our cause.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: convertirse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'convertirse' to describe a change in identity?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word *convertere*, meaning 'to turn around' or 'to change completely'. In Spanish, adding the 'se' makes the action happen to the subject itself.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish.
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'convertirse' and 'hacerse' (both meaning 'to become')?
'Convertirse' implies a deep, often dramatic or sudden transformation (like water freezing into ice, or changing religion). 'Hacerse' usually implies a voluntary, gradual change in profession or identity achieved through effort: 'Se hizo abogado' (He became a lawyer).
Why does the word change its vowels (e to ie or i) when I conjugate it?
'Convertirse' is a 'boot verb' in the present tense, meaning the vowel 'e' changes to 'ie' in most forms (like 'yo me convierto'), but not in the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms. It also changes 'e' to 'i' in the 3rd person preterite and the gerund, which is an extra irregularity you have to watch out for!