conseguir
/konseˈɡiɾ/
To obtain or acquire something through effort is conseguir in Spanish.
Conseguir is used when you obtain or acquire something, often implying that the object was obtained through effort, struggle or by successfully navigating a difficulty. When you follow conseguir directly with an infinitive, it means "to manage to" or "to succeed in" doing an action. Additionally, the verb is often followed by the prepositions en or que.
Which one should you use?
While obtener also means to obtain, conseguir specifically emphasizes that the acquisition required effort or overcoming a difficulty. If you wish to express achieving or reaching a goal, the formal verb alcanzar is appropriate, while lograr is a formal verb used to emphasize the accomplishment of a specific objective.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial verb pillar is used to mean get or grab. In Latin America, the informal verb agarrar is widely used for the same meaning of get or grab.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative form of conseguir is consigo (I manage/achieve), and the third-person singular preterite form is consiguió (he/she/it obtained/managed).
How do you pronounce it?
/konseˈɡiɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb conseguir is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'consequence'. Both derive from the Latin 'consequi', meaning to follow or pursue something to its logical conclusion.
- The phrase no consigo dormir uses conseguir to mean 'I can't manage to sleep', treating the act of sleeping as a goal that requires effort.
- Using conseguir followed by a person, such as conseguir a alguien, can imply that you have finally tracked them down or caught up with them.
Examples in context
- Obtuve el puesto de trabajo que tanto deseabaI obtained the job I desired so much
- Alcanzó el primer lugar en la competenciaHe/she reached the first place in the competition
- Pillé unas entradas para el conciertoI got some tickets for the concert
- Voy a agarrar comida antes de ir al cineI'm going to get some food before going to the movies
- Conseguí el libro que tanto queríaI got the book I really wanted
- Me conseguí una entrada para el partidoI managed to get a ticket for the match
- Conseguí entradas en el cineI got tickets at the cinema
- Conseguí lo que queríasI got what you wanted
- Nos conseguimos un apartamento en la playaWe managed to get an apartment by the beach
- El equipo de investigación consiguió nuevos datos para el estudioThe research team obtained new data for the study
- Conseguí boletos para el concierto de mi banda favoritaI got tickets for my favorite band's concert
- Se lo consiguió sin hacer ningún esfuerzoHe/she got it without making any effort
- Quiero conseguir un buen trabajo.I want to obtain a good job.
- Ella logró conseguir las entradas.She managed to get the tickets.
- ¿Pudiste conseguir el libro?Were you able to get the book?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a difficult project at work.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿crees que podemos conseguir los fondos?Daniel, do you think we can get the funds?
- DanielSí, pero tenemos que presentar un mejor plan.Yes, but we have to present a better plan.
- LucíaTengo que conseguir la firma del jefe hoy.I have to get the boss's signature today.
- DanielYo te ayudo a hablar con él.I will help you talk to him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry conseguir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conseguir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
