obtuvieron

The verb "obtuvieron" is the third-person plural preterite indicative form of the Spanish verb "obtener," which means "to obtain" or "to acquire." In Spanish grammar, the preterite tense is used to describe completed actions with a specific beginning and end in the past.

"Obtener" itself is a regular verb in the -er conjugation, meaning its endings follow a predictable pattern. The preterite form "obtuvieron" is derived from the stem "obtu-" combined with the plural preterite ending "-ieron." This verb is commonly used in contexts where someone gains possession, achieves a goal, or acquires knowledge, skills, or resources.

For example, "Ellos obtuvieron los documentos necesarios" translates to "They obtained the necessary documents." The verb can also appear in more abstract contexts, such as "El equipo obtuvo la victoria" ("The team achieved the victory") or "Los estudiantes obtuvieron buenas calificaciones" ("The students received good grades").

"Obtuvieron" is often paired with prepositions like de (from) or por (by) to clarify the source or method of acquisition, as in "Obtuvieron el premio por su esfuerzo" ("They obtained the prize through their effort"). It is versatile and appears in both formal and informal speech across various Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain, Latin America, and other countries where Spanish is spoken.