Why Arreglar Is Much More Than "To Fix"
Arreglar is the everyday verb for fixing, tidying and sorting things out. It is regular, and its reflexive forms are where the best chunks live: arreglárselas (to manage), arreglarse (to get ready, to work out).
Learn the six chunks below and you can talk about repairs, getting dressed up, getting by, and reassuring a friend.
Pattern 1: Arreglar algo — "To fix something"
The basic meaning: repairing an object, a machine or a problem. Arreglar is the casual choice; reparar sounds more technical. If something stopped working, see [Funcionar] Chunks.
- Tengo que arreglar el coche. — I have to fix the car.
- ¿Puedes arreglar la lavadora? — Can you fix the washing machine?
- Ya arreglaron la calle. — They already fixed the street.
Chunk to learn:
Arreglar + [el coche / la lavadora / un problema]
Pattern 2: Arreglárselas — "To manage / get by"
A fixed reflexive chunk with las that never changes: me las arreglo, te las arreglas, se las arregla. It means you find a way to cope, usually alone. For asking for help instead, see [Pedir] Chunks.
- Me las arreglo solo. — I manage on my own.
- No sé cómo se las arregla con tres niños. — I don't know how she manages with three kids.
- Ya me las arreglaré. — I'll figure it out.
Chunk to learn:
Arreglárselas (solo / para + infinitivo)
Pattern 3: Arreglarse — "To get ready / dress up"
With se, you fix yourself: hair, clothes, the whole look. It is the verb for getting ready for an event. For more on reflexive verbs, see Reflexive Verbs Chunks.
- Voy a arreglarme para la cena. — I'm going to get ready for dinner.
- Se arregló mucho para la boda. — She dressed up a lot for the wedding.
- Arréglate, que llegamos tarde. — Get ready, we're running late.
Chunk to learn:
Arreglarse (para + [evento])
Pattern 4: Todo se arreglará — "It will all work out"
What you say to comfort someone: the situation will resolve itself. It uses se in the impersonal sense, with no person doing the fixing. For a similar reassurance, see [Salir] Chunks.
- Todo se arreglará. — Everything will work out.
- Ya se arregló el problema. — The problem got sorted out.
- Las cosas se arreglan solas. — Things sort themselves out.
Chunk to learn:
Todo se arreglará / Ya se arregló
Pattern 5: Arreglar cuentas / un asunto — "To settle up / sort out"
Use arreglar for paperwork, business and arguments you want to put behind you. Arreglar cuentas can mean settling money or settling a score, so the context matters. For paying, see [Pagar] Chunks.
- Tenemos que arreglar cuentas. — We need to settle up. (or: settle scores)
- Quiero arreglar este asunto hoy. — I want to sort this matter out today.
- Vamos a arreglar los papeles del seguro. — We're going to sort out the insurance paperwork.
Chunk to learn:
Arreglar cuentas / Arreglar un asunto / Arreglar los papeles
Pattern 6: No tiene arreglo — "It's hopeless"
Use it for broken things and for people who never change. Its ironic cousin estamos arreglados means "we're in trouble," said when something goes wrong. For estar, see Ser vs. Estar Chunks.
- Este chico no tiene arreglo. — This kid is hopeless.
- Esa silla ya no tiene arreglo. — That chair can't be fixed anymore.
- Si llueve, estamos arreglados. — If it rains, we're in trouble.
Chunk to learn:
No tener arreglo / Estar arreglado (irónico)
Arreglar vs. Reparar
Arreglar is the relaxed, everyday verb and works for objects, problems, plans and people. Reparar is more technical and formal: a bridge, an engine, damage. Arreglé la bici sounds like something you did at home; repararon el puente sounds like a news report. When in doubt, arreglar is the safer choice in conversation.
Start with me las arreglo and todo se arreglará. You will use both the first time a friend has a bad day.
This post is part of the Spanish Chunk Series — a growing collection of chunk patterns for natural Spanish.