Spanish Word of the Day: hacerse

After ponerse/quedarse and volverse, today’s final word in this small series: hacerse.

A brief overview of the last two (three) words:

• Ponerse/quedarse is used for changes in person (temporary).
• Volverse is used for changes in personality or bahaviour (more permanent).

Directly translated, hacerse means “to become”, just like the previous words/expressions. But this particular word is used to describe personal development, like becoming something (old, an expert in something, rich). Again, I’d like to use the Gente 2 book I have, which says:

“Empleamos hacerse para expresar desarrollo y evolución personal, profesional o social.”

Sentences

Nos hemos hecho viejos.
We’ve become old.

Se hizo rico.
He became rich.

Se ha hecho un experto en el tema.
He has become an expert in the field.