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Conjugation Chart

“Obtener” (to obtain) in the Preterite (Past) Tense

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Understanding the Preterite (Past) Tense of “Obtener”

The preterite of obtener is used to express when you obtained or got something at a specific moment in the past. For example, “I got my driver’s license yesterday” – “Obtuve mi licencia de conducir ayer.”

This is an irregular verb in the preterite tense. The stem changes to ‘obtuv-‘ throughout most forms, following the pattern of tener, making it essential to memorize these forms separately.

How to Use Obtener in the Preterite (Past) Tense

The Preterite of obtener expresses successful acquisition or achievement.

To obtain/get: Used for acquiring something specific, for example Obtuve el permiso ayer (I obtained the permit yesterday), or Obtuvieron buenos resultados (They obtained good results).

To achieve/acquire: Indicates successfully getting something desired, for example Obtuvo el primer premio (She obtained first prize).

Real Life Examples of Obtener in the Preterite (Past) Tense

Obtuve mi título universitario en 2020. (I obtained my university degree in 2020.)

¿Cómo obtuviste esa información? (How did you obtain that information?)

El equipo obtuvo una victoria importante. (The team obtained an important victory.)

Obtuvimos los mejores resultados posibles. (We obtained the best possible results.)

Los científicos obtuvieron datos sorprendentes. (The scientists obtained surprising data.)

¿Qué calificación obtuviste en el examen? (What grade did you obtain on the exam?)

La empresa obtuvo grandes beneficios. (The company obtained large profits.)

Obtuvimos el permiso para construir. (We obtained the permit to build.)

Finalmente obtuve mi licencia de conducir. (I finally obtained my driver’s license.)

¿Dónde obtuviste ese documento? (Where did you obtain that document?)

Obtuvieron la aprobación del proyecto. (They obtained approval for the project.)

Obtuve el primer premio en el concurso. (I obtained first prize in the contest.)

La película obtuvo varios premios. (The movie obtained several awards.)

Obtuvimos descuentos especiales. (We obtained special discounts.)

¿Cómo obtuvieron tanto éxito? (How did they obtain such success?)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

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

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

Synonyms

The Preterite tense is also known as the Simple Past, Past Simple, Definite Past, Absolute Past, or Past Tense Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Simple, Pasado Simple, or Pretérito de Indicativo in Spanish.