Do you know how to say "to get" in Spanish? Due to the numerous ways in which this word can be used in English, there is no "one size fits all" translation for this term. That said, let's explore the many meanings of the verb "to get" in English and learn their Spanish equivalents.

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Meanings of "To Get" and Their Spanish Equivalents

Breaking down the verb "to get" in English into many of its possible definitions, let's find out which verbs are used to express these ideas in Spanish and hear them in context. 

1. To obtain or acquire: obtener, conseguir

"Efectivamente. Acaba de conseguir otro trabajo".

"Indeed. He just got another job."

Caption 60, Carlos explica 20 formas de decir sí sin decir sí

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2. To receive: recibir, tener

"Hoy recibí la carta".

"Today, I got the letter."

Caption 46, Carlos explica Los artículos en español - Part 2

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Note that while the verb tener typically means "to have," it is a word that sometimes changes meaning in the preterite tense. Hence "Tuve una noticia" could be translated as "I got some news."

3. To achieve, win, or earn: sacar, ganar, obtener

lograr obtener un buen resultado en el examen. 

to manage to get a good grade on the exam.

Caption 42, Carlos explica Las preposiciones 'por' y 'para' - Part 1

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4. To fetch or bring: traer

voy y te traigo la cerveza. 

I'll go, and I'll get you the beer.

Caption 39, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 6

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5. To buy: comprar

es en el caso que se nos termine la pasta dental y no podamos salir a la tienda a comprar otra. 

is in case we run out of toothpaste and we can't go to the store to get another one.

Captions 50-51, Otavalo Consejos de salud bucal

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6. To understand: comprender, entender

Yo no entiendo por qué quieres actuar en esa obra. 

I don't get why you want to act in that play.

Caption 32, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 9 - Part 3

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Candelario se puso triste.

Candelario got sad.

Caption 44, Guillermina y Candelario El Gran Rescate

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Keep in mind that a number of Spanish verbs intrinsically contain the idea of "to get" in the sense of "becoming." For example, the verb entristecerse also means "to get sad." Additional examples include mejorar (to get better), empeorar (to get worse), molestarse (to get annoyed), alegrarse (to get happy), and many more. 

8. To catch: agarrar, coger, agarrar

Todos pillamos el COVID y tuvimos que quedarnos en casa durante casi dos semanas.

We all got COVID and had to stay home for almost two weeks. 

Regarding the use of the verb coger in this context, be aware that while it is extremely common in Spain, in many Latin American countries like Mexico, it has a vulgar connotation and should thus be exercised with caution. 

Translations for Additional Common Expressions With "To Get"

10: To get to: tener la oportunidad de, tener la ocasión de, poder hacer

Incluso tuve la oportunidad de jugar a nivel competitivo.

I even got to play at a competitive level.

Caption 28, Club 10 Capítulo 2 - Part 2

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11: To get [someone] to [do something]: lograr que, conseguir que, convencer a 

y logré que para este caso nombraran a una juez que es amiga mía.

and, for this case, I got them to appoint a judge who's a friend of mine.

Caption 19, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 2 - Part 11

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Remember that with all of these expressions, verbs that follow the conjunction que in Spanish should be conjugated in the subjunctive. 

12. To get [something done]: mandar + infinitive, hacer que + verb in subjunctive 

dónde la pueden mandar hacer o...

where you can get it made, or...

Caption 57, Rueda de la muerte Parte 1

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An alternative way to express this would be: dónde pueden hacer que la hagan.

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That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has helped you to realize the numerous ways in which the English verb "to get" is used and that you now know which Spanish verbs to choose for similar situations. Don't forget to write us with your questions and suggestions. 

In simple terms, the Spanish construction a ver is the result of putting together the preposition a and the infinitive form of the verb ver (to see/look). This combination is often used in conjunction with other verbs in sentences such as the following:

Vamos a ver algunas expresiones que requieren el uso del modo subjuntivo.

Let's look at some expressions that require the use of the subjunctive mood.

Captions 9-10, Ana Carolina El modo subjuntivo

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¿Qué tal? -¡Hola! -¿Cómo estás? ¡Bien! ¡Qué gusto volverte a ver!

How's it going? -Hi! -How are you? Well! How nice to see you again!

Captions 32-33, Aprendiendo con Priscilla Pidiendo direcciones

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¡Ah! Y también fui a ver a una curandera

Oh! And I also went to see a healer,

Caption 41, Aprendiendo con Silvia Vacaciones y urgencias - Part 2

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However, as a fixed expression, a ver can be used in many different ways. This lesson will explore several.

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To Ask Someone to Show Us Something

When you ask someone to show you something, you can use the expression a ver. Let's see that use in action:

¿Cómo, cómo se saludarían, a ver? ¡Qué pedo, cabrón!

How, how would you greet each other, let's see? What the hell's up, man?

Captions 28-29, Amigos D.F. Te presento...

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To Wonder or Inquire

When used in this manner, the expression a ver is often followed by question words such as qué (what), cómo (how), or cuándo (when). Let's take a look at some clips with this usage:

pero bueno, a ver qué opinas de sus condiciones generales.

but well, let's see what you think about his general condition.

Caption 20, La veterinaria "Huesos" visita a la doctora - Part 1

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Esperemos hasta mañana a ver qué pasa.

Let's wait until tomorrow to see what happens.

Caption 46, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 7

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To Get Someone's Attention

You might use the expression a ver to get someone's attention right before a question, command, or request.

A ver, eh... Rachel... ¿te animas?

Let's see, um... Rachel... do you want to try?

Caption 22, Clase Aula Azul Información con subjuntivo e indicativo - Part 4

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Before the Conjunction Si to Express a Challenge or Desire

Let's see some examples of this common usage:

A ver si adivináis cuál vamos a tratar hoy.

Let's see if you can guess which one we are going to deal with today.

Caption 4, Aprendiendo con Silvia Las emociones - Part 10

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a ver si ella se anima y va con nosotras.

let's see if she gets inspired and goes with us.

Caption 49, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 1

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Cuando estamos planeando o queremos ver a alguien, decimos, "A ver si nos vemos pronto".

When we're planning or want to see someone, we say, "Let's see if we see each other soon."

Captions 28-29, Lecciones con Carolina Haber vs. A Ver / Si vs. Sí

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To Clarify Something

Although the standard translation for a ver is "let's see," sometimes the Spanish expression a ver helps us to clarify or express the real meaning of something. You might think of it as similar to such English phrases as "the thing is" or "honestly." Let's see how Amaya uses this expression to clarify what she is saying:

Bueno, os acordáis que en uno de mis vídeos os explicaba que tenía en marcha un proyecto muy bonito: un refugio de animales. A ver, en realidad es un refugio de burros.

Well, you remember that, in one of my videos, I was explaining to you that I had a very nice project underway: an animal shelter. Let's see, it's actually a donkey shelter.

Captions 2-5, Amaya Apertura del refugio

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That's all for this lesson. We hope you have learned something new today, and don't forget to send us your suggestions and comments.

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When learning how to talk about the future in Spanish, you don’t always need the traditional future tense. Instead, Spanish speakers frequently use the "ir + a + Infinitive" construction, which is known as the near future tense or "futuro próximo". This structure is one of the easiest and most common ways to express future actions in everyday conversation. In this lesson, we’ll explain how it works and give you plenty of examples to start using it naturally.

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What Is the "Ir + a + Infinitive" Construction?

In Spanish, the verb ir (to go) can be combined with the preposition a and the infinitive form of another verb to indicate future actions. Here’s the formula:

Ir (conjugated) + a + Infinitive Verb

This structure is similar to saying "going to" in English. For example:

así que seguramente voy a aprender muchas cosas,

so I'm surely going to learn a lot of things,

Caption 14, Amaya Cata de vinos

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los alumnos van a visitar una exposición de f'... sobre feminismos

the students are going to visit an exhibit about f'... about feminism

Caption 104, Escuela BCNLIP Presentación de la directora - Part 2

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Why Use "Ir + a + Infinitive" Instead of the Future Tense?

While Spanish has a dedicated future tense, the "ir + a + infinitive" construction is often used in everyday speech because it’s simpler and more conversational. In fact, it’s one of the most common ways to talk about the future. 

Somos dos, nunca sola vas a ir Y ahora voy, sonriendo junto a ti Somos dos, juntos vamos a vivir

We are two, you will never go alone And now I go, smiling along with you We are two, together we will live

Captions 17-19, Liquits Desde Que

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Instead of using the future tense forms irás or viviremos, the Mexican band Liquits uses "ir + a + infinitive," which gives the song a more immediate, conversational tone.

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Examples of "Ir + a + Infinitive" in Action

Here are more examples to help you get comfortable with this construction:

¡Ay, buena idea! Yo voy a buscar a ver si tengo el teléfono en la base de datos.

Oh, good idea! I'm going to look and see if I have the phone number in the database.

Captions 70-71, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 8

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ella va a hacer la ensalada y yo voy a hacer la carne.

she is going to make the salad, and I am going to make the meat.

Caption 12, Misión Chef 2 - Pruebas - Part 7

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Vamos a ver algunas preguntas para que puedan ver las diferentes opciones que se pueden utilizar en diversos contextos.

We're going to look at some questions so that you can see the different options that can be used in various contexts.

Captions 12-14, Carlos explica 20 formas de decir sí sin decir sí

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El próximo año, ellos van a vivir en otro país.

Next year, they are going to live in another country.

Caption 42, Clase Aula Azul Planes para el futuro - Part 2

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How to Conjugate the Verb "Ir"

To use this structure correctly, you need to know how to conjugate the verb ir for each person:

Yo voy a (I am going to)

Tú/Vos vas a (You are going to)

Él/Ella | Usted va a (He/She is going to | You [formal] are going to)

Nosotros/Nosotras vamos a (We are going to)

Vosotros/Vosotras vais a (You all are going to)

Ellos/Ellas | Ustedes van a (They | You all are going to)

"Ir + a + Infinitive" vs. the Future Tense

While both forms are correct, "ir + a + infinitive" is more commonly used in spoken Spanish. It’s simpler and feels more natural in everyday conversation. So, next time you want to talk about your future plans, try using this structure!

That’s it for today. Ready to start using the "ir + a + infinitive" structure in your Spanish conversations? Leave us a comment with your own example sentences, and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

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