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verbsCard 89 of 100

arreglar vs arreglarse

Arreglar is fixing, tidying or sorting something. Arreglarse is getting ready and managing — the reflexive brings it back to you.

arreglar

To repair, tidy up, sort out or alter.

  • Arregló el coche en un día.

    He fixed the car in a day.

    Repairing. 'Reparar' also works but is more formal.

  • Arregla tu habitación.

    Tidy up your room.

    Tidying. Also 'ordenar'.

  • Ya lo arreglaré con ella.

    I'll sort it out with her.

    Resolving a problem between people.

arreglarse

To get ready, dress up, manage, or work out.

  • Me arreglo para salir.

    I'm getting ready to go out.

    Dressing up, doing hair and makeup.

  • Ya me las arreglaré.

    I'll manage.

    Arreglárselas = to cope, to get by. Fixed phrase.

  • Todo se arreglará.

    Everything will sort itself out.

    Se impersonal: things work out.

Tricky bit

'Arreglarse el pelo' (do your hair) vs 'arreglar el pelo a alguien' (do someone's hair). The reflexive tells you whose hair it is.