How to use the word "get" !!

Question

I'm having difficulty using the word "get" in spanish, such as:

He is getting taller. Did you get my point? I got home.

I didn't know whether to use 'traer' , 'conseguir' , 'obtener' , 'recibir' … it's confusing!! any help?! Thank you!

I got home = I arrived home / He is getting taller = "He is becoming taller" - ian-hill, Apr 3, 2011

ian's comment will probably make things easier for you - el_jefe, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 1

Get is a very tricky word to translate into Spanish as it carries so many diverse meanings in English:

For example 1 I've got (bought) a new car'' use comprar= to buy ''

ex 2 ,The teacher announced ;''You must get (obtain your parents permission to go on the school outing'' Use obtener = obtain

Each time you wish to translate words like get or other difficult English expressions you need to ask yourself what is at the heart of the English expression: what does it really mean/what is it really saying?

I got home = I arrived home use llegar= to arrive

He is getting taller =he is becoming taller use crecer = to grow

I just checked with Heidi our native chief administrator via Skype and she said use crecer

I hope this helps

yeh sure :) its clear for me now thnx feliz - laya_87, Apr 3, 2011

You are welcome :) - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 2

You can't use the word "get" in Spanish, because Spanish does not have a word like that! How do you use the word "get" in Arabic anyway? English is probably the only language in the planet with such a word, so looking for equivalents is a waste of time.

Instead, learn Spanish vocabulary and learn how Spanish speakers use it. I have also seen Spanish speakers wasting time trying to find how to say "poner" (or any other verb with lots of meanings) in English, not realizing that English does not necessarily have to have such a verb with the same number of meanings!

Answer 3

Welcome to SpanishDict laya

The word "get" must be the most confusing English word possible for a Spanish speaker.

It is often used as part of a Phrasal Verb - and has over 60 meanings when used like that.

Find a good English / English dictionary and find the verb "to get" - you will see many examples.

It is a strange word because most of the time there is another verb for all its meanings.

On the internet you can download an English / Spanish dictionary called "The Oxford Study Genie Plus Dictionary" that explains the word "get" very well and explains the Phrasal Verbs in Spanish

thnx ian for the information :) i get it.. - laya_87, Apr 3, 2011

That sounds very useful, there are so many sites offering a download, could you recommend one? I would havte to introduce a virus to my nice new laptop. - MaryMcc, Apr 3, 2011

You could download one then scan it completely with your antivirus on your computer in its folder before opening/ using it - FELIZ77, Apr 3, 2011

Answer 4

I think get is a word that is used too much. There are so many words it replaces in everyday speech. So of course if you want to understand spoken English, it is one you would want to understand.

My father got (became) angry very often when someone would use it to get their point across.