conseguir
/kon-seh-GEER/
to get
The most common meaning of conseguir is 'to get' or 'to obtain' something, implying effort was put into the acquisition.
conseguir(Verb)
to get
?acquiring something through effort
to obtain
?slightly more formal
,to find
?when you've been looking for it
📝 In Action
Conseguí un buen trabajo.
A2I got a good job.
¿Puedes conseguir leche en la tienda?
A2Can you get milk at the store?
Por fin conseguimos las entradas para el concierto.
B1We finally got the tickets for the concert.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'e' to 'i' Switch
In some forms, like 'yo consigo' (I get), the 'e' in the stem flips to an 'i'. This happens in many common verbs, especially those ending in '-eguir' like 'seguir'.
The 'g' sound change
Notice how in 'yo consigo', the 'gu' becomes a 'g'. This is just a spelling change to keep the 'g' sound hard before the '-o' ending.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'tener' vs 'conseguir'
Mistake: "Tengo las entradas. (When you mean you went out and got them)"
Correction: Conseguí las entradas. 'Tener' means you have them now, but 'conseguir' tells the story of how you acquired them, usually with some effort.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than just 'to get'
'Conseguir' implies you put in some effort. If something was just given to you or you simply received it, you might use 'recibir' (to receive) instead.
When followed by another verb (like conseguir hablar), conseguir translates to 'to manage to' or 'to succeed in' completing an action.
conseguir(Verb)
to manage to
?succeeding in an action
to succeed in
?achieving a desired outcome
,to get (someone to do something)
?when followed by 'que'
📝 In Action
Conseguí hablar con el gerente.
B1I managed to speak with the manager.
No consigo entender este problema.
B1I can't manage to understand this problem.
¿Conseguiste que te devolvieran el dinero?
B2Did you manage to get them to give you your money back?
💡 Grammar Points
Followed by a Basic Verb Form
To say you 'managed to do' something, just follow 'conseguir' with the action verb in its basic '-ar, -er, -ir' form. Example: 'Conseguí abrir la puerta' (I managed to open the door).
Getting Someone Else to Act
If you get SOMEONE ELSE to do something, the structure changes. Use 'conseguir que' and a special verb form called the subjunctive. Example: 'Consigo que mi hermano me ayude' (I get my brother to help me).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'conseguir' and 'poder'
Mistake: "No puedo entender este problema. (When implying you've tried and failed)"
Correction: No consigo entender este problema. 'No puedo' can mean you aren't able to, perhaps you don't have permission. 'No consigo' clearly means you've tried but haven't succeeded.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Frustration
In its negative form, 'no conseguir' is a great way to show you're struggling with something. '¡No consigo que arranque el coche!' means 'I can't get the car to start!'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conseguir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence best translates to 'I managed to fix the computer'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'conseguir', 'obtener', and 'lograr'?
They're very similar! 'Conseguir' is the most common and implies effort ('to get'). 'Obtener' is a bit more formal, like 'to obtain'. 'Lograr' is more about achieving a bigger goal or succeeding in a task ('to achieve', 'to manage to'). Often, you can use them interchangeably, but 'conseguir' is your best all-purpose choice for 'getting' something.
Is 'conseguir' always irregular?
Yes, but only in specific situations. The main irregularities are the 'e' changing to an 'i' (like in 'consigo' or 'consiguió') and the 'gu' changing to 'g' before an 'o' (like in 'consigo'). In tenses like the imperfect ('conseguía') or future ('conseguiré'), it's perfectly regular.