Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tener éxito | /teneɾ eɡsito/ (from spelling rules) | |
| atinar | /atiˈnaɾ/ | |
| arrasar | /araˈsaɾ/ | |
| anotarse un poroto | /anotaɾse un poɾoto/ (from spelling rules) | |
| petar | /peˈtaɾ/ | |
| suceder | /suθeˈdeɾ/ /suseˈdeɾ/ |
US |
Use tener éxito to describe achieving a desired object, accomplishing an intention or having a prosperous outcome. If you want to describe an overnight success, you can use the idiom tener éxito de la noche a la mañana. If success comes from hitting a target or making a correct decision, use atinar. For overwhelming success that feels like sweeping through competition, use arrasar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tener éxito is literally 'to have success'.
Which one should you use?
Atinar implies hitting a mark or guessing correctly. Arrasar implies a sweeping, overwhelming success. Petar is a colloquial way to say something has 'blown up' or become a massive success. If you want to say something 'went well' in an informal setting, use salir bien. For a sense of triumph or great success, use the formal term triunfar.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you may use triunfar to convey a sense of triumph. Salir bien is an informal phrase used to mean that something went well or turned out fine. Petar is a slang term used colloquially to describe something that is a massive success.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the slang verb petar is used to describe something that is a massive success or 'blows up' figuratively. The verb suceder is tagged as being used in the US.
How do you pronounce it?
/teneɾ eɡsito/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb suceder to mean 'to succeed', but suceder actually means 'to happen'.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for success, éxito, is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'exit'. It comes from the Latin exitus, meaning 'a going out' or 'result'.
- When you want to say someone has achieved an overwhelming success, you can use the verb arrasar. This word literally means 'to level' or 'to raze' to the ground, like a bulldozer.
- In Spain, the slang verb petar is used for massive success, but it also describes a machine or a system crashing or 'blowing up'.
Examples in context
- Puedes tener éxito en tu vida.You can succeed in your life.This sentence shows how to express succeeding in one's life using tener éxito.Tatoeba #1712763 by marcelostockle, translation #69180 by Lumi_alt
- Has trabajado duro para tener éxito.You have worked hard to succeed.This sentence uses tener éxito to show the connection between hard work and success.Tatoeba #4774161 by DarkHollow, translation #1433274 by al_ex_an_der
- Debes trabajar duro si quieres tener éxito.You have to work hard if you want to succeed.This sentence uses tener éxito to state a requirement for success.Tatoeba #7654035 by arh, translation #7646802 by CK
- Juan tuvo éxito en su carrera profesional.Juan succeeded in his professional career.
- María logró cumplir sus metas académicas.María achieved her academic goals.
- El equipo triunfó en el campeonato.The team succeeded in the championship.
- ¡La fiesta salió muy bien!The party was a success!
- Por fin alcanzamos el objetivo que nos propusimos.We finally achieved the goal we set ourselves.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about Daniel's new business venture.
- Daniel¿Crees que mi nuevo negocio podrá tener éxito?Do you think my new business can succeed?
- LucíaSí, Daniel, vas a tener éxito con tu esfuerzo.Yes, Daniel, you are going to succeed with your effort.
- DanielEspero que todo salga bien este año.I hope everything goes well this year.
- LucíaEstoy segura de que así será.I am sure that it will be so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “succeed” translations and entries atinar, arrasar, anotarse un poroto, petar, suceder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arrasar, atinar, suceder, tener, éxito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
