Meaning and behavior
What does obtener mean?
Obtener means to obtain. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- obtener
- Gerund
- obteniendo
- Past participle
- obtenido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present, preterite, future.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of obtener for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Obtener |
|---|---|
| yo | obtengo |
| tú | obtienes |
| él / ella / usted | obtiene |
| nosotros / nosotras | obtenemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | obtenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | obtienen |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of obtener is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Obtener |
|---|---|
| yo | obtuve |
| tú | obtuviste |
| él / ella / usted | obtuvo |
| nosotros / nosotras | obtuvimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | obtuvisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | obtuvieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of obtener, or for background information.
| Subject | Obtener |
|---|---|
| yo | obtenía |
| tú | obtenías |
| él / ella / usted | obtenía |
| nosotros / nosotras | obteníamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | obteníais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | obtenían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of obtener for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Obtener |
|---|---|
| yo | obtendré |
| tú | obtendrás |
| él / ella / usted | obtendrá |
| nosotros / nosotras | obtendremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | obtendréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | obtendrán |
Verified context
Examples with obtener
Él obtuvo el primer premio.
He got the first prize.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl obtuvo un préstamo del banco.
He got a loan from the bank.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRLa mantequilla se obtiene de la leche.
Butter is made from milk.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Obtener FAQ
What does obtener mean?
Obtener means to obtain.
Is obtener regular or irregular?
Obtener is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of obtener?
The gerund of obtener is obteniendo.
What is the past participle of obtener?
The past participle of obtener is obtenido.
How is obtener conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is obtengo, obtienes, obtiene, obtenemos, obtienen.
How is obtener conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is obtuve, obtuviste, obtuvo, obtuvimos, obtuvieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.