Conseguir + infinitive

Question

Hola a todos.

I was reading some text in Spanish when I came upon this new construction involving "conseguir" followed by an infinitive verb.

The sentence reads as follows:

"No consigo contestar tu comentario."

I understand that conseguir is translated as "to get", but I don't understand how it works with the infinitive attached on the end. My guess is that it means "I am unable to answer your comment", but I'm not certain. Can you please help me with this?

Gracias.

Answer 1

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/conseguir

conseguir hacer algo to manage to do something

conseguir hacer algo to manage to do sth

he conseguido aprobar el examen I managed to pass the exam;

no conseguí dar con la solución I didn't manage to find the answer;

no consigo entender tu argumento I just don't quite understand your argument

Very similar to the last one

So I agree- I am just not able to answer your comment

Anyway that is my thought on it. Maybe others will have other opinions.

"Manage" is perfect, I think you have answered by your examples - 005faa61, May 11, 2016

Thanks bosque. You and Julian are always great ayudantes! - cmusba, May 11, 2016

I tutor in English and my Mexican student has used "conseguir" + infinitive. I gather it translates rather like "poder" but it was confusing the first time I encountered it. "Manage" seems right so thanks to bosquederoble. - TIM-BURR, Oct 15, 2017