The verb “to get” is a versatile verb in English that has different meanings in Spanish depending on the context. The verb “to get” can express acquisition, receiving, becoming, understanding, and physical movement. For instance, “I got a new car” signifies acquisition. “She got angry” indicates a change in emotional state. “I get it” conveys understanding. aAnd “Get out of here!” implies physical movement. We will discuss 16 ways to translate the versatile verb ‘to get’ from English to Spanish in different contexts with clear examples.
The Many Meanings of “To Get” in English & Key Translations into Spanish
Because of its wide range of meanings, translating the English verb “to get” into Spanish can be tricky, and the right choice depends on the context. Let us look at some examples to better understand how to translate this verb:
1. To get : to obtain or acquire (English) = obtener, conseguir (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to obtain” or “to acquire,” is often translated as “obtener” or “conseguir” in Spanish. For example:
| Ella obtuvo los documentos necesarios para la visa. | She got the necessary documents for the visa. |
| Necesitamos conseguir más información antes de tomar una decisión. | We need to get more information before making a decision. |
2. To get : to buy or purchase (English) = comprar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to buy” or “to purchase,” is often translated as “comprar” in Spanish. For example:
| Necesito comprar víveres para la semana. | I need to get groceries for the week. |
| Ella compró una nueva computadora portátil en línea. | She got a new laptop online. |
3. To get : to understand or comprehend (English) = entender, comprender (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to understand” or “to comprehend,” is often translated as “entender” or “comprender” in Spanish. For example:
| No comprendo este problema de matemáticas. | I don’t get this math problem. |
| Entiendo lo que estás diciendo. | I get what you are saying. |
4. To get : to arrive (English) = llegar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to arrive,” is often translated as “llegar” in Spanish. For example:
| Llegué tarde a la reunión ayer. | I got to the meeting late yesterday. |
| Deberíamos llegar antes del mediodía. | We should get there before noon. |
5. To get : to use a transportation means (English) = tomar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to use a transportation means,” is often translated as “tomar” in Spanish. For example:
| Tomemos el autobús a la ciudad. | Let’s get the bus to the city. |
| Tomaré un taxi para volver a casa. | I’ll get a cab to get home. |
6. To get : to pick up someone or something (English) = recoger, buscar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to pick up someone or something,” is often translated as “recoger” or “buscar” in Spanish. For example:
| Él recogerá a los niños de la escuela. | He’ll get the boys from school. |
| Regresé a buscar mis cosas. | I came back to get my stuff. |
7. To get : to bring (English) = traer, aportar, llevar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to bring,” is often translated as “traer,” “aportar,” or “llevar” in Spanish. For example:
| No te olvides de traer tu abrigo. | Don’t forget to get your coat. |
| Está lloviendo. Necesitas llevar paraguas. | It’s raining. You need to get an umbrella. |
8. To get : to have (English) = tener (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it indicate possession meaning “to have,” is often translated as “tener” in Spanish. For example:
| Ella tiene dos gatos en casa. | She got two cats at home. |
| Tengo una idea. | I got an idea. |
9. To get : to cause to or lead to (English) = llevar a, conseguir que (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to cause or lead to,” is often translated as “llevar a” or “conseguir que” in Spanish. For example:
| Sus acciones llevaron al equipo a perder el juego. | His actions got the team to lose the game. |
| No sé cómo has conseguido que acepte. | I don’t know how you got him to agree. |
10. To get : to call (English) = llamar (SP)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to call,” is often translated as “llamar” in Spanish. For example:
| Voy a llamar a una ambulancia. | I’m going to get an ambulance. |
| Debemos llamar a la policía. | We need to get the police. |
11. To get : to receive a sentence (English) = estar condenado (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to receive a sentence,” is often translated as “estar condenado” in Spanish. For example:
| Fue condenado a cinco años por robo. | He got five years for burglary. |
| Fueron condenados diez años por algo que no hicieron. | They got ten years for something they didn’t do. |
12. To get : to be paid (English) = ganar, cobrar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to be paid,” is often translated as “ganar” or “cobrar” in Spanish. For example:
| ¿Cuánto ganas por hora? | How much do you get per hour? |
| Cobro diez dólares por lección. | I get ten dollars per lesson. |
13. To get (grades) (English) = sacar (notas) (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when referring to “getting grades,” is often translated as “sacar” in Spanish. For example:
| Debe sacar buenas notas en el examen. | He must get good grades in the test. |
| Sacar una mala nota no fue gran cosa. | Getting a bad grade was not a big deal. |
14. To get : to answer (the phone) (English) = contestar (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to answer (the phone),” is often translated as “contestar” in Spanish. For example:
| Me levanté a contestar el teléfono. | I got up to get the phone. |
| ¿Puedes contestar el teléfono? | Can you get the phone? |
15. To get to : to have the opportunity to (English) = llegar a, tener la oportunidad de (Spanish)
The verb “to get” in English, when it means “to have the opportunity,” is often translated as “llegar” or “tener la oportunidad” in Spanish. For example:
| No llegué a conocerla personalmente. | I didn’t get to meet her personally. |
| No tuve la oportunidad de vivir allí. | I didn’t get to live there. |
16. To get + Adjective (English) = ponerse, quedar (Spanish)
Read more about the different ways to express the meaning of “to get” or “to Become” in Spanish.
When the verb “to get” is used meaning “to become,” there are different ways to express this in different contexts in Spanish.
One way to express the meaning of “to get” followed by an adjective in English, e.g., “to get tired” or “to get disappointed,” is by using the reflexive verb in Spanish, e.g., “aburrirse” (to get bored) or “decepcionarse” (to get disappointed).
Another way to express the meaning of “to get” in this context is to use one of the verbs of change in Spanish meaning “to become.” Here are some examples:
| Se puso muy enojado. | He got really angry. |
| Quedó muy cansado después del partido. | He got tired after the match. |
Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the many meanings and uses of the verb “to get” in English, and how it translates into Spanish in various contexts. Whether you’re looking to understand the verb’s different applications, acquire a new skill in Spanish grammar, or enhance your language proficiency, knowing how to translate “to get” correctly is essential for effective communication.
As we’ve seen, “to get” can express a wide range of actions, from acquiring or purchasing something to arriving, understanding, or even becoming something. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the most accurate Spanish equivalents, such as “obtener,” “conseguir,” “comprar,” “llegar,” and “ponerse.” Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering the different uses of “to get” in both English and Spanish will enhance your overall language skills and fluency.
If you’re eager to continue improving your English and Spanish language skills, don’t forget to explore other related topics on our website, including verb conjugation in Spanish, tips for mastering common Spanish phrases, and more practical language learning resources.
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