obtener y conseguir

Question

Cuando podría usas estas palabras, porque ambos son "get" si? OK first, did I ask the question correctly, I constructed it myself and I know my Spanish grammer is weak. I wanted to say When would you use those words(under what circumstances ) because both mean "get" in English Gracias

I just capitalized "Cuando". Good question, Garry! - rac1, Jan 13, 2013

I'm probably wrong, but I'd ask "¿Cuando se usa estas palabras porque ellas significan "get" , sí?" - HackerKing, Jan 13, 2013

Gracias amigo - Garry-J, Jan 14, 2013

Answer 1

The English translation is "to get". The words conseguir and obtener can be used interchangably.

From the RAE:

conseguir.

(Del lat. cons?qui).

1 tr. Alcanzar, obtener, lograr lo que se pretende o desea.

obtener.

(Del lat. obtin?re).

1 tr. Alcanzar, conseguir y lograr algo que se merece, solicita o pretende.

2 tr. Tener, conservar y mantener.

3 tr. Fabricar o extraer un material o un producto con ciertas cosas o de cierta manera.

Answer 2

Obtener = to obtain. Conseguir means to obtain too

As for in general "to get" is a word in English that has so many meanings. For example: "To get sick", "To get into college", "To get a new car", "Don't worry, I got it guys", "This is how you do it. Got it?", etc.

Click here to go to an article on Spanish Dict about translating the word "get". Basically, rephrase your question in English in a way that avoids using the word get. Than translate that into Spanish. For example:

I got into college = I was accepted by a college = "Fui aceptado por una universidad"

He got sick = He fell sick = Se cayó infermo

This website is Spanish Dict, got it? = This website is Spanish Dict, understand? = This website is Spanish Dict, comprendes?

I got fired = I was fired = Me quedó despedido

Answer 3

I looked on http://www.wordreference.com/es/translation.asp another site I like to consult and there did not seem to be any difference in the 2 words except in how you use them, which means there are slight differences which native speakers can use for nuance (I think). I would say that in your use right now to consider them synonymous, and as you begin to develop more skill to find or offer examples using one or the other and see what a native speaker thinks.

It may be that a native speaker will offer you (and me) some guidance on this.

Thanks for the question.