The Subjunctive Mood of Obtener is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty, for example: Espero que obtengas el trabajo. (I hope you get the job.)

Obtener is an irregular verb in the Subjunctive Mood, meaning its conjugations do not follow a set pattern and must be memorized individually.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Obtener (to obtain) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The present subjunctive of obtener is used to express wishes, desires, demands, or uncertainty about obtaining or acquiring something.

Wish or desire: For example, Espero que obtengas un buen trabajo. (I hope you get a good job.)

Demand or requirement: For example, Es necesario que obtengas un permiso. (It’s necessary that you obtain a permit.)

Uncertainty: For example, No estoy seguro de que obtenga buenos resultados. (I’m not sure if I’ll get good results.)

Colloquial usage: In some Latin American vernacular, obtener can be used informally to mean “to have sex,” as in Ojalá obtengas esta noche. (I hope you get some tonight.)

Examples

Examples of Obtener in the Subjunctive Mood

Espero que obtengas un buen trabajo después de graduarte. (I hope you get a good job after graduating.)

Es importante que obtengamos los permisos necesarios antes de comenzar el proyecto. (It’s important that we obtain the necessary permits before starting the project.)

El instructor dijo que para aprobar el curso, obtengan al menos un 80% en el examen final. (The instructor said that to pass the course, you all must obtain at least 80% on the final exam.)

Aunque cueste mucho esfuerzo, espero que obtenga su título universitario. (Although it takes a lot of effort, I hope you obtain your university degree.)

Ojalá que tu equipo obtenga la victoria en el próximo partido. (I hope your team obtains the victory in the next match.)

Es fundamental que obtengas todos los documentos requeridos antes de solicitar el préstamo. (It’s essential that you obtain all the required documents before applying for the loan.)

Mis padres insisten en que obtenga un trabajo de medio tiempo mientras estudio. (My parents insist that I obtain a part-time job while studying.)

Para ser aceptado en el programa, obtengan recomendaciones de sus profesores. (To be accepted into the program, you all must obtain recommendations from your professors.)

Aunque sea difícil, es importante que obtengamos un permiso para realizar el evento. (Although it’s difficult, it’s important that we obtain a permit to hold the event.)

Mis amigos esperan que yo obtenga un ascenso en mi trabajo pronto. (My friends hope that I obtain a promotion at my job soon.)

Aunque cueste mucho esfuerzo, espero que obtengas tu licencia de conducir pronto. (Although it takes a lot of effort, I hope you obtain your driver’s license soon.)

Es importante que obtengan un seguro médico antes de viajar al extranjero. (It’s important that you all obtain health insurance before traveling abroad.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Obtener (to obtain) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.