"Got" in Spanish

Question

I realize "got" is often reflexive in Spanish. But sometimes, "got" is more isolated, not of the verbal phrase. "I got wet" can be reflexive; "I got some books" not so much. At least, that is how I see it (could be wrong). I recently learned "sacar" can be translated as "get." I usually thought of "conseguir" as "get." Is there a difference? Can you say, "Yo conseguí unos libros?" And, as well, "Yo saqué unos libros?"

Answer 1

I have asked a number of non-native English speakers (whose native languages are varied) what was difficult about learning English, and many of them have reported the verb 'to get'.

I take the view that it's an English problem, not a Spanish one (or any other language's). Although 'to get' is an extremely common word in everyday English, it's almost invariably a (slightly lazy) substitute for a more precise word. Instead of trying to translate 'to get' into Spanish, maybe try translating it into a more precise English word, then translate that word into Spanish...

A good idea amigo. - ian-hill, Aug 5, 2015

I totally agree. My husband says he once had abet with a friend that he could get through a day without saying 'get' Unfortunatly he didn't even get into his car before he lost the bet. - annierats, Aug 5, 2015

:-) - Faldaesque, Aug 5, 2015

Answer 2

Saqué with the meanig of conseguir it's used when the importance of the action is in the way of get it . Example: i bought the grammar book at a very expensive price while my sister got it at a very low price. Compré el libro de gramatica muy caro mientras que mi hermana lo sacó muy barato.

A council (¿¿consejo??) Use always conseguir instead, sacar with this meanig , and it will be a correct sentence.

Please correct my english.

Use sacar instead of conseguir when the action of getting is emphasized, i.e. very difficult in this case. - chantaneeyip, Aug 5, 2015

So it is the manner of "getting" that is important and that distinguishes sacar and conseguir. Not sure what you mean by "A council." - RolloMartins, Aug 5, 2015

I presume that "A council" refers to this Spanish forum (foro). - chantaneeyip, Aug 6, 2015

Sorry . i refer with consejo to an advice. but i always have think that advice was advertencia . and i want to say consejo - 000a35ff, Aug 6, 2015

looking in a dictionary i see that advice is consejo - 000a35ff, Aug 6, 2015

Answer 3

"to get" is most often used as a form of auxiliary to make phrasal verbs

Examples

I got home at 7pm = I arrived home at 7pm.

I got tired = I became tired.

Here is a short test. This shows - as Falda has already said, that nearly always the verb "to get" can be avoided.

I tried ringing her all morning but I couldn’t get ________.

a. down b. up c. over d. through

d. Correct - ‘Get through’ means ‘be connected', usually on the phone.

My dad’s been unemployed for 6 months, it’s really getting him ________.

a. over b. down c. by d. up

b. Correct - If something ‘gets you down’, it makes you feel depressed.

Sorry I’m late, I was so tired I just couldn’t get ________ this morning.

a. down b. up c. over d. by

b. Correct - ‘Get up’ means get out of bed – be careful, the opposite is not ‘get down’.

Hmmm, the kids are very quiet, I wonder what they’re getting________ to?

a. down b. by c. up d. through

c. Correct - ‘Get up to something’ means ‘do something you shouldn’t be doing’

I don’t think you really get ________ the death of a parent.

a. down b. over c. by d. through

b. Correct - To ‘get over something’ means to recover from either an illness or a death.

I find it hard to get ________ on my salary, I’m always penniless by the end of the month.

a. through b. over c. by d. up

c. Correct - ‘To get by’ means to survive on a small amount of money.

Also click here and scroll down. You will see that it is almost impossible to give an easy translation for "to get".

very useful i'll take note - 000a35ff, Aug 5, 2015

Answer 4

"To get", by Gosh! There aren't many English verbs that have more meanings/nuances.

"I got a big one." (fishing) "Pesco/pesqué uno grande." "I got my degree at UNAM." "Me licencié en el UNAM." "I get what you're saying". "Entiendo lo que dices." "I haven't got any." (coloquial). "No tengo." "No he recibido nada." "I got it at the store." "Lo conseguí/compré en la tienda." "Get up!" "!Levántate!" "Get up and go." (sustantivo). "Vigor" "Get ready!" "Prepárate!"

Y etc.