The most popular verb used nowadays in English is the verb to get. There are many different situations and many phrasal verbs in which this verb is used as well. In this article, I will try and help you determine the various meanings of the verb to get, and hopefully give you the confidence necessary to make it a part of your vocabulary.

5 simple meanings of to get

(Conseguir)
- I got my drivers license last week.
  Yo consegui mi licencia de conducir la semana pasada.
(Recibir)
- She gets 1,000 dollars from her dad every month.
  Ella recibe mil dolares de su papa cada semana.
(Comprar)
- I got a new shirt yesterday.
  Ayer, yo compré una camisa.
(Llegar)
- I got to Paris at 2:00am.
  Yo llegué a Paris a las 2 de la mañana.
- I just got home.
  Acabo de llegar a casa.
(Entender)
- I don't get what you're saying.
  No entiendo lo que tú dices.
- I get it now!
  ¡Lo entiendo ahora!

To get as in “to change state”

This meaning is sometimes difficult to understand, so check the examples to see the reasons why you would write "to get". Remember that this use is for a change of state. The adjectives that describe feelings and appearances follow the verb "to get" to show this change of state.

I got mad when the dog barked.
Me enojé cuando el perro ladró.

Last summer, I got fat.
Verano pasado engordé.

When I woke up, I got hungry.
Tuve hambre al levantarme.

I get tired in class.
Me siento cansado en la clase.

When I run, I get very hot.
Cuando yo corro, entro en calor.

Mary is getting fat!
Mary esta engordando.

Phrasal verbs/Frases verbales

Here are some phrasal verbs that are used a lot:

Get up: levantarse

Time to get up!
Hora de levantarse!

Get out: salir

Get out of my house!
¡Sal de mi casa!

Get down: bajar

Get down from the tree.
Bájate del arbol.

Get off: bajar

Get off the bus.
Bájate del bus

Get on: tomar

Get on the train.
Tomar el tren.
Get on the plane.
Tomar el avion.

Get at: tratando de explicar

What are you getting at?
¿Que estas tratando de explicarme?

Get over: resolver

I got over my problems.
Resolvi mis problema.

Get along with: caerse bien/mal

I don't get along with him.
Me cae bien con el

Get to: hacerlo

I have to get to my homework.
Tengo que hacer mi tarea.

Get it?

Now, let's test your skills and see if you can understand what version the of the verb to get we're using:

This morning, I got up at 7:30 and got in the shower. I got ready then headed out the door, and when I got to my school, I saw a guy who I don't get along with. He won't get over the fact that I beat him in basketball. I was trying to get around to telling him that everything is fine, but got mad. Anyway, I got over it and he should too.

After school was over, I got on the bus and finally got home. My mom says I've got to clean my room and do some chores after school or I'll get nothing for supper. When I was in my room listening to music, my mom came in my room and was yelling at me to clean my room. I told her to get out now and that I'll get to it later. I've got to move out soon!

We used to get 16 times in those two paragraphs. Did you figure out what each one means? Feel free to leave a comment and check others' answers!

I hope this article will help you with understanding the verb to get. Hopefully, you will be able to use this verb in your everyday vocabulary. My advice: If you don't fully understand the meaning, just choose the verbs that you are used to. Please always double-check using the dictionary and don't rely on Google Translate!

You gotta try!

Good luck!