obter

Obter is a Portuguese verb meaning to obtain, acquire, gain, or procure something, typically through effort, request, or procedure. It can refer to obtaining tangible items or access (dinheiro, crédito, licença) as well as intangible results (informação, conhecimento, sucesso).

Etymology: Obter comes from Latin obtinere, formed from ob- “toward” or “against” and tenere “to hold.” The word entered Portuguese via Latin-influenced vernacular, retaining the sense of “to hold toward” a result, i.e., to obtain.

Conjugation: Obter is a regular -er verb with some irregularities in the present tense. In the present indicative, the forms are: eu obtenho, tu obténs, ele obtém, nós obtemos, vós obtendes, eles obtêm. In the pretérito perfeito (simple past), the forms are: eu obtive, tu obtiveste, ele obteve, nós obtivemos, eles obtiveram. The gerund is obtendo, and the past participle is obtido. Other tenses follow standard -er verb patterns, with occasional stem adjustments in some forms.

Usage: Obter is used in formal and written Portuguese to express acquiring or securing something, often implying effort or procedure. It can pair with objects like informações, licença, crédito, sucesso, or with sources such as de alguém (to obtain from someone). In many contexts, conseguir is more colloquial or common in everyday speech, but obter remains prevalent in formal writing, legal language, and official communications.

See also: obtenção (the act of obtaining), obter-se (reflexive form in some constructions), conseguir (synonym with subtle usage differences).