になれた

was able to become

→ に

phrase Rare #25,624

was able to become The past form of になる in its potential form, often implying that becoming something was achieved or possible. Depending on context, it can also be translated as “became” or “managed to become.”

JA: 努力して、医者になれた。

EN: Through hard work, I was able to become a doctor.

でも今度こそ真剣って気になったこともなかったようやく今真剣そんな年になれたのね

But I never thought you’d really get serious this time. At last, you’re old enough to take things seriously.

— ベルリン・天使の詩 (1987)

青年時代の忍耐と努力によって、彼は現在の身分になれたのである。

It was through perseverance and hard work in his youth that he attained his present status.

彼が会社の社長になれたのは、彼の努力と勤勉の賜物です。

He became the company president thanks to his hard work and diligence.

捨丸兄ちゃんとなら私…捨丸兄ちゃんとなら私…幸せになれたかもしれない

If I’d been with you, Sutemaru… if I’d been with you, I might have been happy.

— かぐや姫の物語 (2013)

彼女と友達になれた時は、それはうれしかったですよ。

I was so happy when I became friends with her.

お近づきになれたね

We've gotten to know each other better.

— ダイ・ハード (1988)

ゴルフ場の王と妃になれたかも

We could have been the king and queen of the golf course.

— デッド・ドント・ダイ (2019)

（真柴）友達になれたと思ってた

(Mashiba) I thought we'd become friends.

— 映画聲の形 (2016)