llegar

to arrive

verb yeh-GAHR Common

Origin: From Latin plicare ('to fold'), via the idea of reaching a destination.

Also means

to reach

Usage Note

Llegar is a spelling-change verb: in the preterite and present subjunctive, the g becomes gu before e to preserve the /g/ sound (llegué, llegues). It is followed by a when indicating a destination (llegar a Madrid) or an achievement (llegar a ser famoso = 'to become famous'). The ll is pronounced like 'y' in Latin America.

Examples

"El tren llega a las ocho."

Natural Translation

The train arrives at eight.

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