obtener
“obtener” means “to obtain” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to obtain, to get
Also: to acquire
📝 In Action
Necesito obtener mi licencia de conducir pronto.
B1I need to get my driver's license soon.
Ellos obtuvieron el permiso para construir la casa.
B2They obtained the permit to build the house.
Obtuvimos mucha información útil del sitio web.
B1We got a lot of useful information from the website.
to achieve, to secure
Also: to earn
📝 In Action
Después de años de estudio, por fin obtuvo su doctorado.
C1After years of study, he finally achieved his doctorate.
El equipo necesita obtener una victoria para clasificar.
B2The team needs to secure a victory to qualify.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "obtener" in Spanish:
achieved→to achieve→to acquire→to earn→to get→to obtain→to secure→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: obtener
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses the irregular past tense (Preterite) correctly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *obtinere*, which is formed by the prefix *ob-* (meaning 'toward' or 'against') and *tenere* (meaning 'to hold'). So, the original meaning was literally 'to hold against' or 'to take hold of' something.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'obtener' completely regular except for the 'yo' form, like some other -er verbs?
No. While the present tense looks mostly regular (except for the 'obtengo' change in the 'yo' form and the subjunctive), 'obtener' follows the irregular pattern of 'tener' in the past (obtuve), future (obtendré), and conditional tenses, which is important to memorize.
When should I use 'obtener' instead of the simpler 'conseguir' or 'sacar'?
Use 'obtener' when you are writing formally, presenting a serious achievement (like a diploma), or discussing official documents (like permits or visas). 'Conseguir' is perfect for everyday conversation.