obtención
“obtención” means “obtaining” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
obtaining
Also: attainment, procurement
📝 In Action
La obtención del pasaporte fue un proceso muy lento.
B1Obtaining the passport was a very slow process.
Trabajamos duro para la obtención de mejores resultados este año.
B2We worked hard for the attainment of better results this year.
La obtención de pruebas es fundamental para el juicio.
C1The procurement of evidence is fundamental for the trial.
extraction
Also: production
📝 In Action
La obtención de energía solar ha mejorado mucho.
C1The extraction/production of solar energy has improved a lot.
Este método permite la obtención de aceites esenciales puros.
C2This method allows for the extraction of pure essential oils.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: obtención
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct gender for 'obtención'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'obtinere', which combines 'ob' (towards) and 'tenere' (to hold). It literally means to reach out and hold something.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'obtención' different from 'logro'?
Yes. 'Obtención' focuses on the act of getting the thing (the process), while 'logro' focuses on the success or the achievement itself.
Can I use 'obtención' for people?
Not usually. You wouldn't say 'la obtención de amigos'. It is mostly used for inanimate things like documents, data, or materials.
Is it used in daily conversation?
It is less common in casual speech. You are more likely to hear it in the news, at a bank, or in school.