acostumbarse

Note: The standard spelling of the verb is acostumbrarse. Acostumbarse is a common misspelling in some texts.

Acostumbrarse is a Spanish verb, used reflexively to express the process of becoming familiar or adapted to something. It can refer to adapting to a situation, environment, habit, or routine, and is typically followed by the preposition a, before a noun or an infinitive: acostumbrarse a algo, acostumbrarse a hacer algo.

Etymology and meaning: The verb derives from acostumbrar, “to accustom,” which comes from costumbre, meaning custom or habit. Acostumbrarse conveys the gradual adoption of a new condition or practice, contrasting with a single, deliberate action.

Usage and construction: Acostumbrarse is a regular -ar verb in its reflexive form. It is used with pronouns that indicate the subject: me acostumbro, te acostumbras, se acostumbra, nos acostumbramos, os acostumbráis, se acostumbran (present). It also appears in imperfect, preterite, and other tenses, and in the present subjunctive (me acostumbre, te acostumbres, etc.). Common constructions include:

- Me he acostumbrado a la nueva oficina.

- Se está acostumbrando a levantarse temprano.

- Es difícil acostumbrarse a un cambio tan radical.

Examples:

- Después de vivir en la ciudad durante años, se acostumbró al ruido constante.

- Quiero acostumbrarme a trabajar desde casa.

- Los niños se acostumbran más rápido a las nuevas rutinas que los adultos.

Related terms: Habituarse is a close synonym, often used in more formal or literary contexts. Amoldarse can emphasize adaptation to circumstances, while acostumbrarse focuses on habituation over time.