Get Mad, Get Nervous, Get Fluent: Understanding Tricky Spanish Verbs

Words with Multiple Meanings in Spanish Depending on Context

One of the fascinating (and sometimes challenging) aspects of learning Spanish is that many words can take on different meanings depending on the context. A single verb can serve multiple purposes, and understanding its nuances is key to becoming fluent. Here’s a closer look at some common verbs with multiple meanings, including “get” and “to become,” which often rely on reflexive forms or specific constructions in Spanish.

Llevar can mean “to carry,” “to wear,” “to take,” or even “to lead,” depending on the sentence. For example, Llevo una mochila a la escuela todos los días means “I carry a backpack to school every day,” while Ella lleva un vestido rojo para la fiesta means “She’s wearing a red dress to the party.” It can also mean “to take someone somewhere,” as in ¿Puedes llevarme al aeropuerto mañana? (“Can you take me to the airport tomorrow?”), or “to lead,” as in Este equipo lleva la delantera en el campeonato (“This team is leading the championship”).

Quedar has a variety of meanings, such as “to remain,” “to be located,” “to suit (clothing),” or “to agree on something.” For instance, Solo quedan dos entradas para el concierto means “Only two tickets remain for the concert.” Meanwhile, ¿Dónde queda la estación de tren?translates to “Where is the train station located?” If talking about clothing, you might say Esa chaqueta te queda muy bien (“That jacket suits you very well”). It also means “to agree,” as in Quedamos en vernos mañana a las 3 (“We agreed to meet tomorrow at 3”).

Pasar can mean “to pass,” “to happen,” “to spend (time),” or “to hand over.” For example, Por favor, pásame el azúcar means “Please pass me the sugar.” When used to talk about events, ¿Qué pasó ayer en la reunión? translates to “What happened yesterday at the meeting?” If referring to time, Pasamos el fin de semana en la playa means “We spent the weekend at the beach.” It can also mean “to stop by,” as in Voy a pasar por tu casa más tarde (“I’ll stop by your house later”).

Volver primarily means “to return,” but it can also mean “to do something again” when used with an infinitive or express a transformation with reflexive pronouns. For instance, Marta vuelve a casa después del trabajo means “Marta returns home after work.” When combined with another verb, Voy a volver a llamar más tarde translates to “I’m going to call again later.” In reflexive form, it expresses a change, as in Con el tiempo, se volvió más paciente (“Over time, he became more patient”).

Salir can mean “to go out,” “to leave,” “to turn out,” or even “to cost” in idiomatic expressions. For example, Esta noche vamos a salir a cenar means “Tonight, we’re going out for dinner,” while El tren sale a las ocho en punto means “The train leaves at 8 o’clock sharp.” To describe results, you might say La foto salió muy bonita (“The photo turned out very nice”). In cost-related expressions like Esa reparación salió muy cara, it translates to “That repair turned out to be very expensive.”

Get often relies on reflexive forms in Spanish. For example, “to get mad” is enojarse or molestarse, as in Me enojé cuando escuché la noticia (“I got mad when I heard the news”). Similarly, “to get tired” is cansarse, as in Nos cansamos después de caminar todo el día (“We got tired after walking all day”). Other examples include enfermarse (“to get sick”) or casarse (“to get married”).

To become can be expressed in multiple ways depending on the nuance. Volverse is often used for involuntary or permanent changes, like Se volvió loco (“He went crazy”). Convertirse en suggests a transformation, as in La casa se convirtió en un museo (“The house became a museum”). Hacerse indicates a voluntary or deliberate change, as in Se hizo médico después de años de estudio (“He became a doctor after years of study”). Reflexive forms also work for emotional changes, like ponerse for temporary states: Se puso nervioso durante la entrevista (“He got nervous during the interview”).

The versatility of these verbs shows how context is crucial when learning Spanish. By practicing their different meanings, you’ll develop a more natural understanding of the language and feel more confident using it in various situations. Keep exploring and practicing—soon these words will come naturally to you! ¡Buena suerte!