Verbos de cambio
English has one verb 'to become' and uses context for nuance. Spanish has FIVE different verbs for change, and you have to pick by the type of change. Picking the wrong one sounds strange to a Spanish speaker. This is a classic B2 topic.
PONERSE — temporary emotional / physical
+ ADJECTIVE. Describes a short, reversible state change. Mostly emotions and physical appearance. Me pongo nervioso antes de los exámenes = I get nervous before exams. Se puso roja = she turned red. Te pones triste cuando llueve. Doesn't work with nouns ('to become a doctor' isn't me pongo médico).
VOLVERSE — radical, often negative
+ ADJECTIVE or NOUN WITH ARTICLE. A change of character, usually unexpected and uncontrolled. Often negative. Se ha vuelto loco = he's gone crazy. Con la edad, se volvió más serio = with age, he became more serious. Se volvió un hombre amargado = he became a bitter man. Strong sounding — not for minor changes.
HACERSE — gradual, by effort or choice
+ ADJECTIVE or NOUN. Change brought about by decision, ideology, profession, or religion. Se hizo médico después de muchos años de estudio = he became a doctor after many years of study. Se hizo rico = he got rich (through work/skill). Se hizo musulmán = he converted to Islam. Also for age and time of day: se hace tarde (it's getting late), se hizo de noche (night fell).
LLEGAR A SER — achievement after a long path
+ NOUN or ADJECTIVE. Emphasizes the END RESULT of a long path, usually positive. Less everyday than hacerse. Llegó a ser presidente = he became president (after much effort). Llegamos a ser amigos = we became friends (after long acquaintance). English equivalents: 'eventually became', 'went on to become'.
QUEDARSE — state left after an event
+ ADJECTIVE. State you're left in after some event. Closer to 'to end up in a state' or 'to be left'. Se quedó solo después del divorcio = he was left alone after the divorce. Me quedé sin palabras = I was left speechless. Se quedó sorprendida = she was left surprised. Often something a little sad, after a specific event.
Side-by-side comparison
To feel the nuances: se puso triste = he got sad (in the moment). se volvió triste = he became a sad person (character changed). se hizo médico = he trained as a doctor. llegó a ser médico jefe = after a long career he became chief doctor. se quedó sorprendido = he ended up surprised (after the news).
