Inklingo

How to Say "to reach" in Spanish

English → Spanish

llegar

/yeh-GAR//ʝeˈɣaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'llegar' when something or someone physically arrives at a destination, or when referring to a physical measurement reaching a certain point, like height.
The bottom half of a figure wearing a bright red skirt that precisely reaches the top of the knees, illustrating physical extent.

Examples

El tren llega a la estación a las cinco.

The train reaches the station at five.

La falda me llega hasta las rodillas.

The skirt reaches my knees.

Con este dinero, no nos llega para las entradas.

With this money, it's not enough for the tickets.

Espero que la comida llegue para todos los invitados.

I hope the food is enough for all the guests.

alcanzar

/al-kan-SAR//al.kanˈθaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'alcanzar' when you need to physically extend yourself to touch or grasp something, or to achieve a goal or level.
A child standing on tiptoes, stretching their hand upwards to reach a brightly colored toy sitting on a high shelf.

Examples

No alcanzo el libro en la estantería alta.

I can't reach the book on the high shelf.

¿Puedes alcanzar el libro que está en el estante de arriba?

Can you reach the book that is on the top shelf?

Llegamos tarde, pero alcanzamos a ver el final del partido.

We arrived late, but we managed to catch (reach) the end of the game.

Alcanza la sal, por favor.

Pass the salt, please. (Literally: Reach me the salt.)

Z to C Spelling Change

In forms where the sound 'z' must come before 'e' (like the 'yo' preterite or the entire present subjunctive), the spelling changes from 'z' to 'c' (e.g., alcanzo but alcancé and alcance).

Confusing 'Reach' and 'Arrive'

Mistake: “Using *llegar* when meaning to physically reach for something.”

Correction: Use *alcanzar* for physical reaching or handing something; use *llegar* for arriving at a destination.

ganar

/gah-NAR//ɡaˈnaɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'ganar' specifically when referring to reaching a significant destination like a summit, the shore, or a finish line, often implying effort or competition.
A person wearing hiking gear standing triumphantly on the rocky, snow-capped summit of a large mountain.

Examples

Después de mucho esfuerzo, ganamos la cima de la montaña.

After much effort, we reached the mountaintop.

Tras horas de escalada, por fin ganamos la cumbre.

After hours of climbing, we finally reached the summit.

Los náufragos nadaron con todas sus fuerzas hasta ganar la orilla.

The castaways swam with all their might until they reached the shore.

Llegar vs. Alcanzar for Physical Reach

The most common confusion is between 'llegar' and 'alcanzar'. Remember that 'alcanzar' implies an action of extending to grasp or achieve something you can't quite touch, while 'llegar' is about arriving at a place or a measurement point without necessarily needing to extend.

Related Translations

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