How to Say "achieves" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “achieves” is “consigue” — use 'consigue' when someone succeeds in obtaining something, often through effort or by overcoming a challenge, like getting tickets or a desired item.
consigue
kon-SEE-gehkonˈsiɣe
Examples
Mi hermano siempre consigue entradas para el concierto.
My brother always gets tickets for the concert.
Si uno estudia, consigue buenas notas.
If one studies, one achieves good grades.
¿Cómo consigue usted mantenerse tan tranquilo?
How do you manage to stay so calm?
Third Person Singular Form
This form ('consigue') is used with 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), 'usted' (you formal), or any single person or thing performing the action.
The E-to-I Stem Change
The base verb is 'conseguir,' but in many forms, the 'e' in the middle changes to an 'i' (e.g., consigue). This is a common pattern in Spanish verbs.
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: “Él consigue el premio. (Using the 'e' instead of 'i')”
Correction: Él consigue el premio. The stem change (e to i) is mandatory in this conjugation.
logra
LO-grahˈlo.ɣɾa
Examples
Ella logra todas sus metas.
She achieves all her goals.
El equipo logra la victoria en el último minuto.
The team reaches victory in the last minute.
Who is 'Logra' describing?
Use 'logra' when talking about a person (he/she), a single thing (it), or when addressing someone formally as 'usted' in the present tense.
The Imperative Command
This same word 'logra' is also used to give a friendly command to someone you know well (like saying 'Achieve it!').
Success vs. Achieve
Mistake: “Using 'logra' to simply mean 'is successful'.”
Correction: Use 'tiene éxito' for general success. Use 'logra' when you want to mention a specific thing that was achieved.
obtiene
ohb-tee-EH-nehoβˈtje.ne
Examples
Ella obtiene el permiso después de llenar los formularios.
She obtains the permit after filling out the forms.
El equipo obtiene la victoria con un gol de último minuto.
The team gets the victory with a last-minute goal.
¿Cómo obtiene usted tanta información?
How do you (formal) obtain so much information?
Identifying the Speaker
The form 'obtiene' is used when the person doing the action is 'he' (él), 'she' (ella), or the formal way of saying 'you' (usted). It is a present-tense action happening now or habitually.
Irregularity Pattern
The base verb 'obtener' is irregular because it follows the pattern of the highly common verb 'tener' (to have). Notice the 'o' becomes 'e' in the 'yo' form (obtengo), just like 'tengo'.
Confusing 'Obtiene' and 'Tiene'
Mistake: “Using 'obtiene' when you mean 'tiene' (has).”
Correction: 'Obtiene' means 'gets' or 'acquires,' while 'tiene' means 'already has.' They are related but not interchangeable. Correct: Él tiene un coche (He has a car). Incorrect: Él obtiene un coche (unless you mean he is currently acquiring it).
alcanza
ahl-KAHN-sahalˈkansa
Examples
Si estudia mucho, alcanza el nivel B2 este año.
If he studies hard, he achieves the B2 level this year.
Ella alcanza una gran reputación en su campo.
She attains a great reputation in her field.
Confusing Obtaining vs. Reaching Goals
Related Translations
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