Spanish word

alcanzar

Pronunciation

IPA/alkanˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbachieve

Example

Hemos alcanzado el objetivo.

We have achieved the objective.

Illustration for alcanzar (achieve)

More examples

Alcanzamos un acuerdo al final.

We came to an agreement in the end.

Core concept

Person reaching up to grasp a distant trophy.

Common phrases

  • alcanzar el objetivo

    achieve the objective

  • alcanzar la meta

    attain the goal

  • alcanzar un acuerdo

    come to an agreement

Similar words

lograr: Accomplishes a planned goal or outcome through effort and determination.
conseguir: Obtains or secures something wanted by using means, opportunity, or effort.

Definition in Spanish

Ponerse al nivel de algo o alguien o lograr aquello que se proponía; verbo usado tanto para acciones concretas como para metas abstractas.

Word origin

From Old Spanish alcanzar and ultimately from Latin capere 'to take, seize', with a prefix meaning 'toward', giving a sense of getting to or seizing that develops into 'achieve'.

Usage tips

  • Alcanzar often appears as 'alcanzar a + infinitive' to mean managing or barely managing to do something, and 'no alcanza' means that something is not enough.

Other meanings

  • reachverb
  • arrive atverb
  • catch upverb
  • be enoughverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word