alcanzar
To reach a place or a goal; to catch up with someone.
Alcanzar represents the act of bridging a gap, whether it is physical distance, a personal goal, or catching up to another person.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To arrive at a specific location or physical destination.
- To successfully achieve a personal goal or objective.
- To catch up with someone moving ahead of you.
Summary
Alcanzar represents the act of bridging a gap, whether it is physical distance, a personal goal, or catching up to another person.
- To arrive at a specific location or physical destination.
- To successfully achieve a personal goal or objective.
- To catch up with someone moving ahead of you.
Use it to request items
When at the dinner table, use '¿Me alcanzas...?' instead of 'dame'. It sounds much more polite and native.
Don't confuse with 'llegar'
Remember that 'llegar' is for destination, while 'alcanzar' is for effort or catching up. Using them interchangeably can change the meaning of your sentence.
Common in professional settings
In business, 'alcanzar objetivos' is the standard phrase for meeting KPIs or targets. It shows a proactive attitude.
Examples
4 of 4¿Me alcanzas el vaso de agua, por favor?
Can you pass me the glass of water, please?
La empresa logró alcanzar sus objetivos anuales.
The company managed to reach its annual goals.
¡Corre, si te das prisa puedes alcanzar al autobús!
Run, if you hurry you can catch the bus!
El nivel de contaminación alcanzó niveles críticos.
The pollution level reached critical levels.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Alcanzar' as 'All-can-see' or 'All-can-reach'. If you can reach it with your hand or your effort, you can 'alcanzar' it.
Overview
El verbo 'alcanzar' es fundamental en el español cotidiano. Su significado principal es llegar a un lugar o estado después de un esfuerzo o proceso. Es una palabra que denota superación, ya sea de una distancia física o de un objetivo personal. 2) Usage Patterns: Se usa frecuentemente con objetos directos. Puede ser transitivo, como en 'alcanzar una meta', o intransitivo en contextos específicos de suficiencia, como en 'el dinero no alcanza'. A menudo se conjuga en tiempos pasados para describir logros completados. 3) Common Contexts: En la vida diaria, se usa para pedir que alguien nos pase un objeto ('¿me alcanzas la sal?'), para hablar de progreso profesional ('alcanzar un puesto') o para describir una persecución física ('alcanzar al corredor'). 4) Similar Words comparison: A diferencia de 'llegar', que indica simplemente el fin de un trayecto, 'alcanzar' implica un esfuerzo o la superación de un obstáculo. Mientras que 'lograr' se enfoca casi exclusivamente en el éxito de una tarea, 'alcanzar' mantiene una conexión más fuerte con la idea de llegar a un punto específico o una distancia determinada.
Usage Notes
Alcanzar is a neutral verb used in almost every register. It is highly frequent in both spoken and written Spanish. When used as 'pass me something', it is very common in informal settings, whereas in reports, it is preferred for describing statistical growth.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'alcanzar' when they should use 'llegar' for simple arrival at a place. Another mistake is using it for 'getting' something in a store, where 'comprar' or 'conseguir' are more natural. Remember it requires a direct object in most cases.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Alcanzar' as 'All-can-see' or 'All-can-reach'. If you can reach it with your hand or your effort, you can 'alcanzar' it.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old Spanish 'alcance', which comes from the Arabic 'al-qans', meaning 'the hunt' or 'pursuit'. This explains why it originally meant to catch or hunt down someone.
Cultural Context
In Hispanic culture, being asked to 'alcanzar' something is a sign of social intimacy at a table. It is considered polite and helpful. It is also a buzzword in motivational speaking when discussing 'alcanzar tus sueños'.
Examples
¿Me alcanzas el vaso de agua, por favor?
everydayCan you pass me the glass of water, please?
La empresa logró alcanzar sus objetivos anuales.
formalThe company managed to reach its annual goals.
¡Corre, si te das prisa puedes alcanzar al autobús!
informalRun, if you hurry you can catch the bus!
El nivel de contaminación alcanzó niveles críticos.
academicThe pollution level reached critical levels.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
al alcance de la mano
within reach
fuera de mi alcance
out of my reach
no me alcanza
it is not enough for me
Often Confused With
Llegar is about arriving at a destination. Alcanzar is about the effort required or catching up to something.
Lograr is strictly about success or completion of a task. Alcanzar can also mean physical distance or passing an object.
Grammar Patterns
Use it to request items
When at the dinner table, use '¿Me alcanzas...?' instead of 'dame'. It sounds much more polite and native.
Don't confuse with 'llegar'
Remember that 'llegar' is for destination, while 'alcanzar' is for effort or catching up. Using them interchangeably can change the meaning of your sentence.
Common in professional settings
In business, 'alcanzar objetivos' is the standard phrase for meeting KPIs or targets. It shows a proactive attitude.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma correcta de alcanzar.
Con mucho esfuerzo, finalmente ___ la cima de la montaña.
Se requiere la tercera persona del pasado para indicar que alguien logró llegar a la cima.
Elige el significado correcto en este contexto: 'No alcanzo a ver la pizarra'.
En esta oración, alcanzar significa:
Cuando se usa con verbos de percepción, indica la capacidad o alcance de los sentidos.
Ordena la frase correctamente.
a / las / metas / alcanzar / importantes / debemos
Sigue la estructura sujeto + verbo + objeto directo.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsLlegar es simplemente arribar a un sitio. Alcanzar implica un esfuerzo extra o que has superado una distancia o meta específica.
Sí, es muy común pedir a alguien que te alcance un objeto. Significa pasarlo o entregarlo desde una distancia cercana.
Significa que el dinero que tienes es insuficiente para cubrir los gastos. Es una forma muy común de expresar carencia económica.
Sí, es un verbo regular terminado en -ar. Sigue las reglas de conjugación estándar de los verbos de la primera conjugación.
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
abajo
A1Down, downstairs, below.
abandonar
B1To leave a place or person, often permanently.
abierta
A1Open (female); not closed or restricted.
abierto
A1Open.
abierto/a
A2Not closed or sealed; open.
Abrir
A1To open
absolutamente
A2Completely, totally, or without qualification.
abstención
B2Abstention, the act of refraining from voting or participation.
abstenerse
B2To abstain, refrain, or hold oneself back from doing something.
Abundancia
B2A large quantity or ample supply of something; plentifulness.
