conseguir vs alcançar
Portuguese word comparison
Listen to conseguir
Listen to alcançar
| conseguir | alcançar |
|---|---|
/con-se-GU-ir/ verb | //aw.kɐ̃ˈsaɾ// verb |
| to be able to; to manage to do something; to obtain/get | to reach; to achieve (a goal, a target, or a physical point) |
How they differ
Alcançar emphasizes reaching a target, distance, or achievement (literal or figurative); conseguir emphasizes having succeeded or been able to do something, not necessarily the process of reaching a specific target.
When to use each
When to use conseguir: Prefer conseguir when the focus is on having succeeded or managed to do something (ability or success).
When to use alcançar: Prefer alcançar when talking about reaching goals, targets, milestones, quotas, or physical locations.
Side-by-side examples
- Consegui terminar o relatório a tempo.
(I managed to finish the report on time.) - Alcancei a meta de vendas do mês.
(I reached the month's sales target.)
Register & nuance: Alcançar is neutral and fits both formal and informal contexts, often used when discussing measurable goals or distances.