Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| prendere | /ˈprɛn.de.re/ |
| ottenere | /ot.teˈne.re/ |
In Italian, the word you use for 'get' depends on whether you are physically picking something up, achieving a goal or receiving an item. While prendere is used for everyday actions like picking up an object or a person, ottenere is used when you obtain something through effort or a formal process. For specific nuances, you might use ricevere to mean 'receive', acquisire for 'acquiring' or 'gaining' or procacciarsi when you are procuring something in a formal manner.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between physical acquisition and achievement. Prendere is the most common choice for physical grabbing or picking up an object, whereas ottenere is specifically used for obtaining or achieving something through a formal process or significant effort.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈprɛn.de.re/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When performing simple, everyday actions like 'getting a coffee', avoid using ottenere. Instead, use the more natural prendere.
When do people say it?
The phrase prendere un granchio is an idiom used to describe making a blunder or a mistake in a public or embarrassing way.
Did you know?
- To 'get' angry in Italian is not expressed by a verb for obtaining, but by the phrase arrabbiarsi, which is a reflexive verb meaning 'to make oneself angry'.
- While prendere means 'to get' or 'to take', it is also the standard verb used to describe 'catching' a cold or the flu, such as prendere il raffreddore.
- The Italian verb prendere shares a common ancestor with the English word 'prehend', which you can still see in words like 'apprehend' or 'comprehend'.
Examples in context
- Lo andrò a prendere.I'll go get that.This sentence shows how to use prendere to express going to get something.Tatoeba #4307551 by Guybrush88, translation #2549348 by CK
- Non si fece prendere.She didn't get caught.This sentence uses prendere to describe not getting caught.Tatoeba #2157406 by Guybrush88, translation #1658007 by Spamster
- Andrò a prendere Tom.I'll go get Tom.This sentence demonstrates using prendere when going to get a person.Tatoeba #2578486 by Guybrush88, translation #2262008 by CK
- Mi devo vestire per la festa.I have to get dressed for the party.
- Sto preparandomi per l'esame.I am getting ready for the exam.
- 577 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are at a cafe.
- AlessandroPosso prendere un caffè?Can I get a coffee?
- SofiaCerto, io voglio prendere un tè.Sure, I want to get a tea.
- AlessandroVuoi prendere anche un cornetto?Do you want to get a croissant too?
- SofiaSì, ne prendo uno al cioccolato.Yes, I'll get a chocolate one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get” translations and entries prendere, ottenere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ottenere, prendere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
