to reach; to be enough
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
No alcanzo el estante de arriba.
I can't reach the top shelf.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Alcancé la guagua corriendo.
I caught the bus by running.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
El dinero no alcanzaba para todo.
The money wasn't enough for everything.
Futuro · What will happen
El arroz alcanzará para todos.
The rice will be enough for everyone.
Condicional · What would happen
Con ese sueldo no alcanzaría para el alquiler.
With that salary it wouldn't be enough for the rent.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Mis hijos han alcanzado sus metas.
My kids have reached their goals.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella ya había alcanzado a sus amigos.
She had already caught up with her friends.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para las diez habremos alcanzado la cima.
By ten we will have reached the top.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Corriendo, habrías alcanzado el tren.
If you had run, you would have caught the train.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Espero que alcance el tiempo.
I hope there's enough time.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Temíamos que no alcanzara la comida.
We were afraid there wouldn't be enough food.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Esperaba que los alcanzásemos antes del puente.
He hoped we would catch up with them before the bridge.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Dudo que haya alcanzado el dinero.
I doubt the money was enough.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiéramos alcanzado el barco, estaríamos en la isla.
If we had caught the boat, we would be on the island.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Alcanza la sal, por favor.
Pass the salt, please.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
Rarely used with this verb.