Spanish has no single word for the English verb ‘to become’. Below I am going to explain the different ways of expressing this verb. It takes a long time and a lot of practice to master this concept. Keep your eyes and ears opens and try to look for other examples of how these verbs are used in different situations and you will get the hang of using them. “La práctica hace al maestro.” Practice makes perfect.

(1) Ponerse is used to indicate a change in mood, physical condition and appearance.

Example: Se puso ronco de tanto hablar. He got hoarse from talking so much

Example: El arroz se está poniendo caro. Rice is getting expensive.

(2) Volverse is usually used to show an  involuntary mental or physical change. The change is more permanent than ponerse.

Example: El hombre se volvío loco . The man went crazy.

Example: María se volvío desilusionada con la política. She became disappointed with politics.

(3) Hacerse usually involves a voluntary effort and a longer period of time.

Example: Pedro se hizo arquitecto. Pedro became an architect.

(4) Llegar a ser usually involves a slow and gradual change.

Example: Jorge estudío mucho y con el tiempo llegó a ser médico. George studied a lot and in due time became a doctor.

(5) Convertirse indicates change which is usually due to external circumstances.

Example : El crimen se ha convertido en un verdadero problema. Crime has become or turned into a real problem.

(6) Quedarse means to become but usually when a loss is involved.

Example: María se quedó sin dinero. María was left without money

Example: El niño se quedó huérfano. The child became an orphan.

Example: Tomás se quedó sordo. Thomas became deaf.

Tiquismo of the week – Ponerse como tomate is to blush.
Quedarse sin el santo y la limosna is to be left without something or lose something.