How do you translate the English verb ‘to become’ into Portuguese?
Short Answer: it depends
Long Answer: It is very helpful to examine 5 common applications of to become and the most appropriate counterparts in Portuguese.
1. To represent a long gradual change, or a change that results from a great intellectual effort, use the phrasal verb chegar a ser.
- Ele chegou a ser chefe da empresa He became the head of the company.
2. A very Brazilian way of saying ‘to become,’ and one that connotes an unexpected or even negative evolution, is virar.
- Você virou pão duro? Have you become a cheapskate?
3. An involuntary change of state suggests the use of the verb ficar.
- Eu fiquei envergonhado I became embarrassed.
4. For a voluntary change, or a change to which the subject has contributed, the best verb to use is tornar-se.
- Ela tornou-se uma excelente músico She became an excellent musician
5. When using the phrasal verb to become rich, or when speaking to professional change, use fazer-se.
- Vou me fazer bilionário escrevendo literatura infantil I am going to become a billionaire by writing childrens’ books.
adapted from ‘Um Passo Mais no Português Moderno’ by Francisco Cota Fagundes
3 Comments
Excellent blog, Chris!
Here’s a question… Which word would you use to say this: “The plane tickets get expensive” (as in they are cheap, but if you wait to buy they get expensive)?
Excellent explanation of all facets of “become.” Thanks.