obsesionarse
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “obsesionarse” mean in English?
to obsess, to fixate
to obsess, to fixate (obsesionarse con — be excessively preoccupied with something to a degree that impairs judgement)
Example sentences
Se obsesionó tanto con el proyecto que dejó de dormir.
He became so obsessed with the project that he stopped sleeping.
No te obsesiones con los detalles; mira el conjunto.
Don't obsess over the details; look at the whole picture.
La sociedad actual se obsesiona con la apariencia física.
Contemporary society is obsessed with physical appearance.
How to use it
obsesionarse con means 'to become obsessed with'. It is always reflexive. The preposition con marks the object of obsession. The non-reflexive obsesionar means 'to obsess someone' (transitive). Both exist but the reflexive is more common at B2.
Common mistake
English 'be obsessed with' (stative) maps to estar obsesionado/a con; 'become obsessed' maps to obsesionarse con. Using the wrong form changes the meaning.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.2.