establecerse / resolver
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “establecerse / resolver” mean in English?
to settle, to establish oneself
to settle, to establish oneself (establecerse en + place — set up; establecerse en un acuerdo — reach a settlement)
Example sentences
Después de años de mudanzas, la familia finalmente se estableció en Medellín.
After years of moving around, the family finally settled in Medellín.
La empresa decidió establecerse en Portugal para acceder mejor al mercado latinoamericano.
The company decided to establish itself in Portugal to better access the Latin American market.
How to use it
Establecerse means 'to settle' or 'to establish oneself'. Reflexive. Senses: settle in a place (establecerse en Madrid — settle in Madrid); set up / establish oneself professionally (establecerse como abogado — set up as a lawyer). Do not calque English 'settle on an agreement': that is llegar a / alcanzar un acuerdo, never establecerse en un acuerdo.
Common mistake
Establecerse (establish oneself/settle — reflexive) vs. establecer (set up/establish — transitive: establecer un precedente, establecer una empresa). For agreements use llegar a or alcanzar un acuerdo — 'establecerse en un acuerdo' is an English calque and unnatural.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.99.