French Verb 'obtenir': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

As a French learner, mastering the verb "obtenir" is crucial for expressing yourself effectively in everyday situations. This versatile verb has multiple meanings and applications, making it a valuable addition to any French language learner's toolkit.

What Does 'obtenir' Mean in French?

The verb "obtenir" can be translated to English as "to obtain," "to get," or "to receive." However, its nuances go beyond simple translation. In French, "obtenir" often implies a sense of effort or achievement, making it distinct from other verbs like "recevoir" (to receive) or "avoir" (to have). In some cases, "obtenir" can imply a sense of success or accomplishment, as in "j'ai obtenu mon diplôme" ("I got my diploma"). In other contexts, it might convey a sense of receiving something through one's own efforts, such as "j'ai obtenu un prix pour mon livre" ("I received an award for my book").

Conjugation of 'obtenir'

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
J' (I)	obtienne	ai obtenu	aurai obtenu
Tu (You)	obtiens	as obtenu	auras obtenu
	obtient	a obtenu	aura obtenu
Nous (We)	obtenons	aurons obtenu
Vous (You plural)	obtenez	avez obtenu	arez obtenu
Ils/elles (They)	obtiennent	ont obtenu	auront obtenu

How to Use 'obtenir' in a Sentence'

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the verb "obtenir" in different contexts and tenses: * J'ai obtenu mon permis de conduire il y a six mois" ("I got my driver's license six months ago") * "Je vais obtenir mon diplôme en fin d'année." ("I'll get my diploma at the end of the year.") * "J'ai obtenu un petit cadeau pour mon anniversaire." ("I got a little gift for my birthday.") * "Nous avons obtenu une bourse pour étudier à l'étranger." ("We received a scholarship to study abroad.") * "Il aura obtenu son diplôme lorsque j'aurai fini mon stage." ("He will have gotten his diploma by the time I finish my internship.") * "J'ai obtenu un poste de responsable après avoir passé six ans dans l'entreprise." ("I got a management position after working for six years at the company.")

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'obtenir'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using the verb "obtenir": * "Obtention de la confiance" ("Gaining someone's trust") - This phrase highlights the sense of achievement and effort involved in building trust. * "Obtenir ses marques" ("To get a foothold or make progress") - In this context, "obtenir" implies a sense of success and accomplishment. * "Obtenir son éloge" ("To earn praise or recognition") - This phrase emphasizes the idea that "obtenir" can imply a sense of achievement and approval. * "Obtenir une récompense " ("To receive a reward") - In this case, "obtenir" implies receiving something as a result of one's efforts or achievements.

Tips for Remembering 'obtenir'

Here are three tips to help you remember the verb "obtenir": * Pay attention to the prefix "ob-" , which often indicates obtaining or getting. * Practice conjugating "obtenir" in different tenses and contexts. * Use flashcards or create your own exercises to reinforce your understanding of this versatile verb. Practice the verb obtenir on My-French.com