Acostumbrar

Acostumbrar is a Spanish verb meaning to accustom, to habituate, or to cause someone or something to become used to a situation or a habit. It is a regular -ar verb and is typically transitive, often taking a direct object with a following construction that introduces the new habit or behavior.

Common constructions include acostumbrar a + infinitive to indicate making someone do or accept something, for example: La empresa acostumbra a pagar a sus empleados a fin de mes. El entrenamiento acostumbra a los soldados a obedecer órdenes. In other uses, acostumbrar can describe a gradual change in a person or institution.

The reflexive form acostumbrarse a + infinitive means to get used to doing something, as in Me estoy acostumbrando a levantarme temprano, o Ya me estoy acostumbrando al clima frío. The related adjective acostumbrado/a describes someone who is used to something, as in Estoy acostumbrado a vivir solo.

Acostumbrar also appears in the noun acostumbramiento, referring to the process of becoming habituated, and is closely related to costumbre (custom, habit) and the verb habituar, which has a similar meaning. The term is widely used across the Spanish-speaking world, with similar meanings in formal and informal contexts.

Etymology traces the root to the concept of habit or custom, with a productive prefix that forms a verb meaning to cause to adopt a habit. Its core usage remains to describe the establishment or adoption of new routines, practices, or expectations.