obtiens

Obtiens is the second person singular present indicative form of the French verb obtenir, which means to obtain, to get, or to gain. It is used when addressing someone directly and indicating that they are currently obtaining something or achieving a result.

Conjugation and related forms commonly used with obtiens include the full present tense: je obtiens, tu obtiens, il obtient, nous obtenons, vous obtenez, ils obtiennent. The past participle is obtenu, and the auxiliary verb in perfect tenses is typically avoir, as in j’ai obtenu. Other tenses follow regular patterns of the irregular verb obtenir: imperfect obtenais/obtenais, future obtiendrai/obtiendras, and the present subjunctive obtienne/obtennes.

Etymology and cognates: obtenir comes from Old French obtenir, itself from Latin obtinere, formed from ob- “toward” and tenere “to hold.” The word’s sense has shifted toward the idea of attaining something through effort, process, or negotiation. English speakers recognize a related term, obtain, through the same Latin root.

Usage notes: obtenir is used with a wide range of direct objects, such as obtenir un diplôme, obtenir des résultats, obtenir de l’aide, or obtenir un prêt. It often implies action to secure rather than merely receive. Compared with recevoir, obtenir emphasizes the achievement or acquisition that comes through effort, request, or negotiation, whereas recevoir focuses more on the act of receiving.