Coffee Break Spanish: How do you translate "get" into Spanish? | A Coffee Break with Pablo

Podcast: Coffee Break Spanish (Coffee Break Languages)
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Pablo

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pablo delves into the complexity of translating the English verb "to get" into Spanish, revealing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all translation. Through focused examples and mini translation challenges, listeners learn how context determines which Spanish verb to use—whether it’s conseguir, recibir, levantarse, or others. The lesson is crafted to help Spanish learners avoid common pitfalls and better express themselves in real-life situations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Translating "To Get"

• Pablo highlights right away how tricky it is to translate "to get" because "there isn't one single verb in Spanish that always works when translating to get." (01:35)
• Emphasizes that understanding the context is essential: “You need to think about the real meaning in context to find the correct verb in Spanish.” (01:50)

2. Examples of “Get” in Different Contexts

Pablo gives two examples to show the differences:

• Getting something as an achievement:

  • English: "I got a new job last week."
  • Spanish: "Conseguí un nuevo trabajo la semana pasada."
  • Explanation: Here, "got" implies an achievement, so conseguir is used. (02:13)

• Getting something as a gift (receiving):

  • English: "My brother got a bike for his birthday."
  • Spanish: "Mi hermano recibió una bicicleta nueva por su cumpleaños."
  • Explanation: "Got" here means "received," so recibir fits. (02:38)

3. Adding Complexity: Phrasal Verbs and Prepositions

Pablo discusses how English phrasal verbs with "get" need different translations:

• Get up (reflexive verb):

  • English: "They get up early every morning."
  • Spanish: "Se levantan temprano cada mañana."
  • (03:20)

• Get on with (someone):

  • English: "He doesn’t get on with his mother-in-law."
  • Spanish: "Él no se lleva bien con su suegra."
  • (03:39)
  • Pablo explains: “Llevarse bien con alguien” is the phrase used for “to get on with someone.”

• Get off (transport):

  • English: "You got off the train at the wrong station."
  • Spanish: "Te bajaste del tren en la estación equivocada."
  • (03:55)
  • “We need ‘bajarse de’ to say to get off from somewhere.”

• Get on (transport):

  • English: "Get on, the bus is about to leave."
  • Spanish: "Sube al autobús, está a punto de salir."
  • (04:14)
  • Uses the verb subir for “to get on.”

4. Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Let me tell you something. Mastering the meanings of ‘get’ with a preposition … is really difficult for learners of English too. I still struggle with this.” — Pablo (05:00)
• “It may seem difficult to you, but … even for English learners, these phrasal verbs can be tricky.” — Pablo (05:10)

5. Mini Translation Challenge

Pablo gives listeners a quick practice session, demonstrating varied uses:

1. We got a table at the restaurant.
   • “Conseguimos una mesa en el restaurante.” (06:00)
   • Uses conseguir for the idea of “securing” (achieving) something.
2. She got off the bus in the city center.
   • “Ella se bajó del autobús en el centro de la ciudad.” (06:30)
   • Bajarse for getting off transport.
3. They get up late on Sundays.
   • “Ellos se levantan tarde los domingos.” (06:50)
   • Levantarse for waking/getting up.

6. Quick Recap (Resumen)

Pablo wraps up by summarizing the episode’s key learning:

• “The English verb ‘to get’ can be translated in many different ways, depending on the context in Spanish.”
  (08:00)

• Key Translations:

  • Conseguir: To get (achievement)
  • Recibir: To get (receive)
  • Levantarse: To get up
  • Llevarse bien con alguien: To get on (with someone)
  • Bajarse de: To get off (transport)
  • Subir a: To get on (transport)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:33 — Pablo introduces the topic of “to get” and its translation complexities
• 02:13-02:38 — Examples: achievement (“got a new job”) vs. receiving a gift
• 03:20-04:14 — Phrasal verbs: get up, get on with, get off/from, get on (transport)
• 05:00-05:10 — Notable commentary about difficulties for English learners
• 06:00-06:50 — Mini translation challenge: quick-fire examples
• 08:00 — Final recap and summary

Memorable Quotes

• Pablo, 01:50:
  “You need to think about the real meaning in context to find the correct verb in Spanish.”

• Pablo, 05:00:
  “Mastering the meanings of ‘get’ with a preposition … is really difficult for learners of English too. I still struggle with this.”

• Pablo, 08:00:
  “The English verb ‘to get’ can be translated in many different ways, depending on the context in Spanish.”

Episode Takeaways

• The verb "to get" is versatile in English, but requires careful contextual translation in Spanish.
• The most common translations include conseguir (achieve), recibir (receive), and reflexive/pronominal forms like levantarse, bajarse de, and subir a for physical actions.
• English phrasal verbs with “get” rarely map one-to-one to Spanish—they require distinct verbs.
• Skill in choosing the right translation for “get” is vital for sounding natural in Spanish.

Happy Coffee Breaking!