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How to Say "getting" in Spanish

English → Spanish

recibiendo

/reh-see-BYEN-doh//re.siˈβjen.do/

Verb (Gerund/Present Participle)A1general
Use 'recibiendo' when you are obtaining something that is given to you or coming towards you, like help or a package.
A close-up view of a pair of cartoon hands reaching out and actively accepting a small, brightly colored wrapped gift box.

Examples

Estamos recibiendo mucha ayuda de la comunidad.

We are receiving a lot of help from the community.

Mi hermano está recibiendo clases de guitarra esta semana.

My brother is taking (receiving) guitar lessons this week.

El jefe sigue recibiendo llamadas a pesar de ser tarde.

The boss keeps taking calls even though it's late.

The Continuous Action

'Recibiendo' is the 'doing' form of 'recibir.' It is always used with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action is ongoing: 'Estoy recibiendo' (I am receiving).

Making it Continuous

For verbs ending in -IR or -ER, the continuous form ends in -IENDO. Since 'recibir' ends in -IR, it follows this easy pattern.

Forgetting 'Estar'

Mistake: “Yo recibiendo el correo.”

Correction: Yo estoy recibiendo el correo. Remember, you need a form of 'estar' to hold the continuous action together.

consiguiendo

/kon-see-GYEN-doh//konsiˈɣjendo/

VerbA2general
Use 'consiguiendo' when you are actively working to obtain an object or achieve a desired result through effort.
A person reaching up and successfully picking a bright red apple from a leafy green tree branch.

Examples

Estoy consiguiendo mejores notas este año.

I am getting better grades this year.

Poco a poco, estamos consiguiendo nuestros objetivos.

Little by little, we are achieving our goals.

Siguen consiguiendo nuevos clientes para la empresa.

They keep on getting new clients for the company.

The 'E' to 'I' Swap

Even though the main verb is 'conseguir', the 'e' changes to an 'i' in this form. This is common for many '-ir' verbs when you add the '-iendo' ending.

Continuous Action

This word is the '-ing' form. Use it with the verb 'estar' to describe an action that is happening right now.

Don't say 'conseguendo'

Mistake: “conseguendo”

Correction: consiguiendo. Always remember to change the 'e' to 'i' for this specific verb family when adding the '-iendo' ending.

sacando

sah-KAHN-doh/saˈkando/

VerbB1general
Use 'sacando' specifically when you are achieving or obtaining results, particularly academic grades or scores.
A smiling student proudly displaying a large, shiny gold star, symbolizing obtaining a good result or grade.

Examples

Él está sacando muy buenas notas este semestre.

He is getting very good grades this semester.

La empresa sigue sacando beneficios a pesar de la crisis.

The company continues getting/earning profits despite the crisis.

Estaban sacando el permiso de residencia cuando yo llegué.

They were obtaining the residency permit when I arrived.

Figurative 'Taking Out'

Think of this meaning as 'pulling out' a result from effort or a process. You pull the grade out of the test, or the profit out of the business.

Grades vs. General Obtaining

Learners often confuse 'consiguiendo' and 'sacando' when talking about grades. While 'consiguiendo' means obtaining in general, 'sacando' is the preferred and more specific term for achieving academic results like grades.

Related Translations

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