consolidarse
verbCEFR B2
What does “consolidarse” mean in English?
to consolidate, to become firmly established — to gradually achieve stability and permanence
to consolidate, to become firmly established — to gradually achieve stability and permanence (la democracia se consolida, un modelo que se consolida)
Example sentences
La democracia no se consolida de un día para otro; requiere décadas de instituciones sólidas y participación ciudadana constante.
Democracy does not become consolidated overnight; it requires decades of solid institutions and constant civic participation.
La tendencia al teletrabajo se ha consolidado como una realidad permanente en muchas empresas, y ya no parece reversible.
The telework trend has become established as a permanent reality in many companies, and no longer appears reversible.
How to use it
Consolidarse (reflexive verb, from consolidar — to consolidate) means 'to become consolidated', 'to take hold', or 'to become established and stable'. It implies a process whereby something fragile or new gradually becomes solid and durable. It is the positive counterpart to agravarse: while agravarse marks deterioration, consolidarse marks stabilisation and strengthening. Common subjects: democracies, institutions, peace processes, identities, habits: la democracia se ha consolidado, el acuerdo no ha llegado a consolidarse, los avances se consolidan. The reflexive se marks the process as intransitive — something consolidates itself over time.
Common mistake
Don't translate 'to consolidate' as a transitive verb when Spanish uses the reflexive: 'The agreement consolidated' = 'El acuerdo se consolidó' (reflexive), not *'El acuerdo consolidó'. The transitive form (consolidar algo) means to actively make something solid — a different frame.