hacerse
/ah-SEHR-seh/
to become
"Hacerse" means "to become," often referring to achieving a new identity or profession through effort.
hacerse(Verb)
to become
?profession or identity achieved through effort
,to turn into
?a desired state
to make oneself
?literal translation
📝 In Action
Mi hermano se hizo arquitecto después de muchos años de estudio.
A2My brother became an architect after many years of study.
Ella se hizo vegetariana por razones de salud.
B1She became a vegetarian for health reasons.
Queremos hacernos amigos de los vecinos nuevos.
A2We want to become friends with the new neighbors.
💡 Grammar Points
Action Must Be Chosen
Use 'hacerse' when the change is voluntary, involves effort, or takes a long time. Think of it as 'making yourself' something.
The 'Se' is Essential
The little word 'se' (or 'me,' 'te,' etc.) is necessary because the action turns back on the person doing it. It shows the subject is changing themselves.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using Ser instead of Hacerse
Mistake: "Él es doctor."
Correction: Él se hizo doctor. ('Es doctor' just states his current job; 'se hizo doctor' describes the process of becoming one.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Identity
If the result is a long-term identity (e.g., a job, a religion, a political affiliation), 'hacerse' is usually the best choice.
When referring to time or age, "hacerse" translates to "to get," like in the phrase "it is getting late."
📝 In Action
¡Vámonos, se está haciendo tarde!
A2Let's go, it's getting late!
Cuando me hice mayor, entendí a mis padres.
B1When I got older, I understood my parents.
Se hizo de noche rápidamente después de la tormenta.
A2It became night quickly after the storm.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Time
When talking about time passing or daylight changing (like 'getting dark' or 'getting light'), you use the third-person singular form: 'se hace'.
Hacerse + Adjective
This meaning is often followed by adjectives like 'tarde' (late), 'mayor' (older), or 'viejo' (old).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'getting old'
Mistake: "Estoy haciendo viejo."
Correction: Me estoy haciendo viejo. (You must include the reflexive pronoun 'me' because you are the one changing.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Getting' Verb
If you can translate the English phrase using 'getting' (like 'getting dark,' 'getting late,' 'getting older'), 'hacerse' is a safe bet.
"Hacerse" can also mean "to pretend" or feign a condition, like playing make-believe.
hacerse(Verb)
to pretend
?to feign a state or condition
,to act like
?to play a role
to feign
?formal synonym
📝 In Action
Cuando pregunté por la cena, él se hizo el tonto.
B2When I asked about dinner, he pretended to be clueless (the fool).
Para evitar el trabajo, se hizo el enfermo.
C1To avoid work, he pretended to be sick.
No te hagas el héroe, es peligroso.
B2Don't try to be the hero; it's dangerous.
💡 Grammar Points
Hacerse + Definite Article
In this meaning, 'hacerse' is almost always followed by the definite article (el, la, los, las) before the noun or adjective describing the pretended state (e.g., 'se hizo el ciego').
Intentional Action
This sense implies a conscious decision to behave a certain way to trick others or avoid something.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Omitting the Article
Mistake: "Se hizo tonto."
Correction: Se hizo el tonto. (Including 'el' makes it clear you are acting out the role of a fool.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Phrases
Memorize common phrases like 'hacerse el sordo' (to pretend to be deaf) or 'hacerse la víctima' (to play the victim).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hacerse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'hacerse' to describe a process achieved through effort?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'hacerse' and 'ser'?
'Hacerse' describes the journey or change over time (the 'becoming'): 'Se hizo profesor' (He became a teacher). 'Ser' describes the final, permanent state: 'Él es profesor' (He is a teacher).
How does 'hacerse' differ from 'ponerse'?
Both mean 'to become,' but 'ponerse' is used for temporary emotional or physical changes (e.g., 'Se puso triste' - He got sad). 'Hacerse' is for permanent or long-lasting changes (e.g., identity, profession, age).