Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obtain'

English Word: obtain

Key Russian Translations:

• получить [pə.lʊˈt͡ɕɪtʲ] - [Formal, Perfective verb]
• достать [dɐˈstatʲ] - [Informal, Colloquial]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and formal contexts, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "to be" or "to have")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb aspects, but straightforward for learners familiar with basic conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

получить: pə.lʊˈt͡ɕɪtʲ

достать: dɐˈstatʲ

Note on получить: The stress falls on the third syllable ("-т͡ɕɪ-"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'т' sound. Pronounce it with a soft 'ch' as in "church".

Note on достать: Stress on the second syllable ("-sta-"), with a soft 't' sound; common in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To get or acquire something, often through effort or process

Translation(s) & Context:

• получить - Used in formal or neutral contexts, such as obtaining official documents or information; implies a completed action.
• достать - Informal, used for obtaining something that might require effort, like finding a rare item; often implies overcoming obstacles.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил визу для поездки в Европу. (Ya poluchil vizu dlya poezdki v Evropu.)

  I obtained a visa for my trip to Europe. (This example shows the verb in a formal context involving official processes.)

• Ему удалось достать редкую книгу в библиотеке. (Yemu udalos' dostat' redkuyu knigu v biblioteke.)

  He managed to obtain a rare book from the library. (Illustrates informal usage with an element of effort or search.)

• Мы получили новый контракт после долгих переговоров. (My poluchili novyy kontrakt posle dolgykh peregovorov.)

  We obtained a new contract after long negotiations. (Demonstrates plural subject and formal business context.)

• Она достала билеты на концерт в последний момент. (Ona dostala bilety na kontsert v posledniy moment.)

  She obtained tickets to the concert at the last minute. (Shows informal, urgent scenario.)

• Дети получили подарки на Новый год. (Deti poluchili podarki na Novyy god.)

  The children obtained gifts for New Year's. (Highlights plural object and festive context.)

To gain knowledge or skills

Translation(s) & Context:

• получить - In educational contexts, e.g., obtaining a degree; formal and precise.
• достать - Less common here, but could imply informally acquiring skills.

Usage Examples:

• Он получил степень магистра в университете. (On poluchil stepen' magistra v universitete.)

  He obtained a master's degree at the university. (Focuses on formal achievement.)

• Я постараюсь достать необходимые навыки для работы. (Ya postarayus' dostat' neobkhodimye navyki dlya raboty.)

  I will try to obtain the necessary skills for the job. (Informal, future-oriented usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are verbs, but they follow different patterns. "Получить" is a perfective verb, while "достать" is also perfective. Russian verbs have aspects (perfective for completed actions, imperfective for ongoing). Below is a table for "получить" (as an example), showing key conjugations. Note that these verbs do not change in all forms like regular verbs; irregularities are common.

For "достать": Similar perfective patterns, e.g., Past: достал / достала; Future: я достану. These verbs are irregular in some aspects, so learners should memorize key forms. They do not inflect for gender in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • приобрести (priobresti) - More formal, implies buying or purchasing.
  • захватить (zakhvatit') - Implies seizing or capturing, with a connotation of force.
• Antonyms:
  • потерять (poteryat') - To lose.
  • выкинуть (vykinut') - To throw away or discard.

Related Phrases:

• получить образование (poluchit' obrazovanie) - To obtain education; refers to formal learning processes.
• достать информацию (dostat' informatsiyu) - To obtain information; used in investigative or casual contexts.
• получить визу (poluchit' vizu) - To obtain a visa; common in travel-related scenarios.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "получить" is a perfective verb, ideal for completed actions, whereas its imperfective counterpart is "получать" for ongoing processes. Choose "достать" for informal or effort-intensive scenarios. English users should note that Russian verbs often require aspect agreement; for example, "obtain" in English can be either, but in Russian, select based on context (e.g., use "получить" for a one-time event). Be mindful of grammatical cases: the object often takes the accusative case, e.g., "получить книгу" (obtain a book).

Common Errors:

• Using the imperfective form "получать" when a perfective is needed: Incorrect: "Я получаю визу сейчас" (implies ongoing, but for completion, say "Я получу визу"). Correct: "Я получил визу" for past completion. Explanation: English speakers often overlook verb aspects, leading to tense mismatches.

• Confusing "достать" with "доставить" (to deliver): Incorrect: "Я достал пакет" meaning "I delivered the package" (should be "доставил"). Correct: "Я достал пакет" means "I obtained the package." Explanation: The roots are similar, but contexts differ, causing mix-ups in meaning.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "получить" are neutral and don't carry strong cultural connotations, but in Russian society, obtaining official documents (e.g., visas or degrees) often involves bureaucracy, reflecting historical influences from the Soviet era where such processes were highly regulated. This can add a layer of frustration or formality in everyday usage.

Related Concepts:

• приобрести
• захватить
• получать