Which one should you use?
While alcanzado por refers to a physical strike, other phrases are used for different contexts. Ser impactado por is a formal way to express being struck, whereas quedar impactado por is a formal phrase used specifically when one is struck by something surprising or astonishing. If you want to express being struck by something due to its wonder or marvel, you should use the formal expression maravillarse con.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression alucinar con, meaning to be struck or amazed, is predominantly used in certain regions like Spain and some Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because alcanzado is a past participle, it must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. For example, you would use alcanzada por if the subject is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/alkanθado poɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spain, if you are 'struck' by how amazing something is, you might say alucinar con. This literally translates to 'to hallucinate with', a much more intense way of expressing wonder than the English 'to be struck by'.
- While alcanzado por is used for physical strikes, the phrase alcanzar is also used in Spanish to describe having enough of something, such as money or food, to last a certain period.
- The word por in alcanzado por is a doublet of the word pro, as both were borrowed from the Latin prō but evolved differently in Spanish.
Examples in context
- El viejo nogal enorme de la colina fue alcanzado por un rayo y se prendió fuego.The large old walnut tree on the hill was struck by lightning and caught fire.This sentence shows the use of alcanzado por to describe a tree being struck by lightning.Tatoeba #13477850 by Seael, translation #13477798 by frpzzd
- Quedé impactado por su generosidadI was struck by his/her generosity
- Me maravillé con el espectáculo de lucesI was struck by the lights show
- Quedé impresionado por su habilidad para bailarI was struck/impressed by his/her dancing skills
- Quedé impresionado/a por su increíble actuación en el teatroI was struck/impressed by his/her amazing performance in the theater
- Flipé con la película que vimosI was struck/amazed by the movie we watched
- Flipé con el concierto de rockI was struck/amazed by the rock concert
- Aluciné con el talento de esa cantanteI was struck/amazed by that singer's talent
- Aluciné con la comida exótica que probé en MéxicoI was struck/amazed by the exotic food I tried in Mexico
- El coche fue alcanzado por una piedra en la autopista.The car was struck by a stone on the highway.
- El edificio fue alcanzado por una ráfaga de viento muy fuerte.The building was struck by a very strong gust of wind.
Example conversation
Two friends discuss a recent storm.
- DanielSofía, ¿viste el árbol del parque?Sofía, did you see the tree in the park?
- SofíaSí, fue alcanzado por un rayo ayer.Yes, it was struck by lightning yesterday.
- DanielParece que cayó justo en el centro.It looks like it hit right in the center.
- SofíaFue un golpe muy fuerte.It was a very strong hit.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcanzado, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
