How to Say "reached" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “reached” is “alcanzado” — use 'alcanzado' when referring to a past action that has been completed, often implying effort or achievement, like reaching a physical goal or a certain level..
alcanzado
/al-kan-SAH-doh//alkanˈθaðo/
Examples
He alcanzado la cima de la montaña.
I have reached the top of the mountain.
El nivel alcanzado por los estudiantes es excelente.
The level reached by the students is excellent.
Una vez alcanzado el éxito, no olvides tus raíces.
Once success is achieved, don't forget your roots.
¿Has alcanzado a ver el eclipse?
Did you manage to see the eclipse?
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).
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.
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.
alcanzado
/al-kan-SAH-doh//alkanˈθaðo/
Examples
El nivel alcanzado por los estudiantes es excelente.
The level reached by the students is excellent.
Una vez alcanzado el éxito, no olvides tus raíces.
Once success is achieved, don't forget your roots.
He alcanzado la cima de la montaña.
I have reached the top of the mountain.
¿Has alcanzado a ver el eclipse?
Did you manage to see the eclipse?
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).
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.
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.
llegaba
/yeh-GAH-bah//ʝeˈɣaβa/
Examples
Yo siempre llegaba tarde a la escuela.
I always used to arrive late to school.
Cuando ella llegaba, nosotros estábamos saliendo.
When she was arriving, we were leaving.
El agua me llegaba a las rodillas.
The water was reaching my knees.
Painting the Background
Use 'llegaba' to set the scene or describe what was happening when something else occurred.
Habits in the Past
This word is perfect for talking about routines you had, like 'I used to arrive at 8 AM every day.'
Llegó vs. Llegaba
Mistake: “Using 'llegó' to mean 'I used to arrive.'”
Correction: Use 'llegó' for a one-time event (I arrived) and 'llegaba' for a habit (I used to arrive).
Completed vs. Habitual Past Actions
Related Translations
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