Coffee Break Spanish: How to Use ‘Hacerse’ in Spanish

Host: Anabel (Coffee Break Languages)
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this espresso episode, Anabel explores the versatile Spanish verb hacerse and its multiple uses, particularly focusing on how it translates to “to become,” “to get used to,” and “to manage to get” in English. Through real-life examples, comparisons with similar verbs, and focused explanations, listeners learn the structure, context, and nuances of this essential reflexive verb.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to “Hacerse” and Episode Origin

• Contextual Spark (01:39)

  • Anabel recounts a humorous birthday moment that inspired the lesson:

    “My colleague said ‘me hago mayor’ – I’m becoming older … but every time I hear those words, I always reply: ‘No te haces mayor, te haces más sabio’ – you are not becoming older, you are becoming wiser.”
    (Anabel, 02:06)

• She uses this anecdote to highlight the verb hacerse and its importance in expressing change in Spanish.

2. Hacerse = “To Become” (Change in State or Status)

• General Use (02:30)

  • Hacerse is used for changes in:
    • Age (“to become older”)
    • Profession (“to become a doctor”)
    • Wealth, religion, ideology, and more

• Example & Explanation (03:04)

  • “Clara se ha hecho doctora y se está haciendo muy rica.”
    • Translation: “Clara has become a doctor and she’s getting/ becoming very rich.”
    • hacerse doctora = became a doctor (change in profession)
    • se está haciendo muy rica = is becoming/getting very rich (change in wealth)
    • Shows use with both noun (doctora) and adjective (rica).

• Another Example (04:05)

  • “¿Te has hecho vegetariano?”
    • Translation: “Have you become vegetarian?”
    • Emphasizes reflexive structure and use with adjectives.

3. Hacerse a = “To Get Used To”

• Introducing the Preposition “a” (05:02)

  • By adding a to hacerse, you form “hacerse a,” meaning to get used to something.

• Comparison with “acostumbrarse a”

  • Both hacerse a and acostumbrarse a are interchangeable.

    “Here you have two verbs for the price of one!”
    (Anabel, 05:40)

• Examples

  • “No me hago a los inviernos fríos.”
    • Translation: “I can’t get used to cold winters.”
  • “No me acostumbro a los inviernos fríos.”
    • Equivalent in meaning.

4. Hacerse con = “To Manage to Obtain/Get”

• Function with “con” (07:09)

  • “Hacerse con” is used for obtaining something that’s difficult to get.
    • It translates as “to manage to get” or “to obtain.”

• Example

  • “¿Te has hecho ya con las entradas para el concierto?”
    • Translation: “Have you managed to get the concert tickets yet?”
    • The “ya” indicates “yet” or “already” in this context.

5. Recap and Listener Participation

• Summary Exercise (08:28)

  • Anabel reviews the uses, prompting listeners to recall the structures and their English meanings:

    1. Hacerse + adjective/noun → “To become”
    2. Hacerse a + noun/adjective → “To get used to”
    3. Hacerse con + object → “To manage to obtain or get”

  • She revisits the interchangeable acostumbrarse a, reinforcing comprehension.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the flexibility of hacerse:

  “As you can see, hacerse is a very versatile verb and can be combined in many ways.”
  (Anabel, 08:00)

• Listener encouragement:

  “Mucho ánimo y hasta la próxima.” (“Lots of encouragement, and until next time!”)
  (Anabel, 10:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:39] – Introduction to the episode and inspiration for discussing “hacerse”
• [03:04] – Example: “Clara se ha hecho doctora y se está haciendo muy rica.”
• [04:05] – Example: “¿Te has hecho vegetariano?”
• [05:02] – Introduction of “hacerse a” and comparison with “acostumbrarse a”
• [06:17] – Example use: “No me hago a los inviernos fríos”
• [07:09] – “Hacerse con” and managing to get something
• [08:28] – Recap of all structures and listener quiz/review
• [09:20] – Encouragement & outro to continue learning

Episode Tone & Language

Anabel maintains a warm, friendly, and motivating tone throughout. She employs relatable examples, calls back to real-life language moments, and encourages active listener participation, making grammatical points memorable and accessible for learners at various levels.

In Summary

This espresso episode is a concise yet thorough exploration of “hacerse,” providing clear examples, structural explanations, comparisons with similar verbs, and practical contexts. It’s ideal for learners wanting to sharpen their understanding of an essential Spanish verb – and for those aiming to sound more natural and nuanced in their spoken Spanish.