The Present Tense of obtener is used to express actions happening in the present moment or facts that are currently true. For example, Obtengo un premio por mi trabajo duro. (I obtain a prize for my hard work.)

Obtener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow a set pattern in the present tense. You’ll need to memorize each form individually.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Obtener (to obtain) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

Obtener generally means to get, obtain, or acquire something, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To get or obtain something: for example, Yo obtengo buenas notas en la escuela. (I get good grades at school.)

To acquire or gain something: for example, Obtenemos nuevos clientes cada mes. (We acquire new customers every month.)

To earn or receive something: for example, Tú obtienes un salario alto. (You earn a high salary.)

To achieve or attain something: for example, Ellos obtienen sus metas con esfuerzo. (They achieve their goals through hard work.)

To procure or secure something: for example, Nosotros obtenemos los permisos necesarios. (We procure the necessary permits.)

To win or gain something: for example, Vosotros obtenéis el premio. (You win the prize.)

To get or receive information: for example, Ellas obtienen noticias de sus familiares. (They get news from their relatives.)

To get or receive a result: for example, Ustedes obtienen buenos resultados. (You get good results.)

To get or receive a benefit: for example, Él obtiene muchos beneficios de su trabajo. (He gets many benefits from his job.)

To get or receive a qualification: for example, Yo obtengo un título universitario. (I get a university degree.)

To get or receive a promotion: for example, Tú obtienes un ascenso en tu trabajo. (You get a promotion at your job.)

To get or receive a discount: for example, Nosotros obtenemos un descuento en la tienda. (We get a discount at the store.)

To get or receive a loan: for example, Ellos obtienen un préstamo del banco. (They get a loan from the bank.)

To get or receive a grant: for example, Ella obtiene una beca para estudiar. (She gets a grant to study.)

To get or receive a job: for example, Vosotros obtenéis un trabajo en la empresa. (You get a job at the company.)

To get or receive a visa: for example, Ustedes obtienen una visa para viajar. (You get a visa to travel.)

To get or receive a license: for example, Él obtiene una licencia de conducir. (He gets a driver’s license.)

To get or receive a permit: for example, Nosotros obtenemos un permiso para construir. (We get a permit to build.)

To get or receive a certificate: for example, Ellas obtienen un certificado de nacimiento. (They get a birth certificate.)

To get or receive a membership: for example, Yo obtengo una membresía en el club. (I get a membership at the club.)

To get or receive a ticket: for example, Tú obtienes una entrada para el concierto. (You get a ticket for the concert.)

To get or receive a reservation: for example, Ellos obtienen una reserva en el restaurante. (They get a reservation at the restaurant.)

To get or receive a contract: for example, Nosotros obtenemos un contrato con la empresa. (We get a contract with the company.)

To get or receive a patent: for example, Ella obtiene una patente para su invención. (She gets a patent for her invention.)

To get or receive a copyright: for example, Vosotros obtenéis los derechos de autor. (You get the copyright.)

To get or receive a trademark: for example, Ustedes obtienen una marca registrada. (You get a trademark.)

To get or receive a license: for example, Él obtiene una licencia para vender. (He gets a license to sell.)

To get or receive a permit: for example, Nosotros obtenemos un permiso para operar. (We get a permit to operate.)

To get or receive a certification: for example, Ellas obtienen una certificación profesional. (They get a professional certification.)

To get or receive a degree: for example, Yo obtengo un título de maestría. (I get a master’s degree.)

To get or receive a diploma: for example, Tú obtienes un diploma de bachillerato. (You get a high school diploma.)

Examples

Examples of Obtener in the Present Tense

Cada mañana obtengo un café antes de ir al trabajo. (Every morning I get a coffee before going to work.)

Mis amigos y yo obtenemos buenos descuentos cuando compramos en grupo. (My friends and I get good discounts when we buy in bulk.)

La empresa obtiene grandes ganancias con sus nuevos productos. (The company gets big profits from its new products.)

En la reunión, obtenemos información valiosa sobre el proyecto. (In the meeting, we get valuable information about the project.)

¿Ustedes obtienen suficiente ejercicio durante la semana? (Do you get enough exercise during the week?)

Ellos obtienen excelentes resultados con su nuevo plan de entrenamiento. (They get excellent results with their new training plan.)

Cuando viajo, obtengo souvenirs únicos para mis seres queridos. (When I travel, I get unique souvenirs for my loved ones.)

En la fiesta, obtenemos regalos sorpresa de nuestros amigos. (At the party, we get surprise gifts from our friends.)

Mi hermana obtiene buenas calificaciones porque estudia mucho. (My sister gets good grades because she studies a lot.)

¿Ustedes obtienen suficiente descanso durante las vacaciones? (Do you get enough rest during the holidays?)

Los atletas obtienen patrocinios de marcas deportivas. (Athletes get sponsorships from sports brands.)

En el trabajo, obtenemos bonos por nuestro buen desempeño. (At work, we get bonuses for our good performance.)

Cuando hago compras en línea, obtengo envío gratis si gasto más de $50. (When I shop online, I get free shipping if I spend over $50.)

Los estudiantes obtienen becas por sus logros académicos. (Students get scholarships for their academic achievements.)

En la feria del libro, obtenemos libros firmados por los autores. (At the book fair, we get books signed by the authors.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Obtener (to obtain) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.