How to Use the Word “Get”

“Eu estou permanecendo com fome, e voce?” I can say that in Portuguese right? How about, “Eu venci um presente.” Sounds a little strange doesn’t it. These kinds of errors are also very common in English, and misusing words could GET you into some tricky situations.

A friend of mine, another Australian, was spending some time here in Belo Horizonte, when he encountered a miscommunication with the word stay (instead of get).  While sitting at a café using his computer, one of the waiters who knew he didn’t speak any Portuguese approached him and said, “You stay hungry.” My friend told me that he was very shocked by the man’s attitude and decided to go elsewhere for a snack. Later when he told me the story, I was able to clarify for him what had happened, the waiter was asking if he “was getting hungry” (ficando com fome). My friend thought the man was refusing to serve him, rudely telling him that he was going to stay hungry.

I used to always wonder why Brazilians always “stayed” at places or “stayed” with emotions and physical states. You’re probably asking yourself what the hell is he talking about, Well it’s because Brazilians have a tendency to use the word “stay” instead of “get”. I stayed hungry, I stayed tired, I stayed with that girl/guy… stay, stay, stay. So in this article we’re not going to stay anywhere, we’re going to get.

Every language has one of those words that you hear all the time, but it’s used in so many different ways that it can be really confusing. In most cases, the translation of this word it doesn’t make any sense, or you wouldn’t use this word the same way in your native tongue. In this article we’re going to learn about one of the English language’s most commonly misused and often misunderstood words, GET.

 

GETTING BETTER WITH GET (Changing states and conditions)

From my experience here in Brazil the word “get” always leaves people with doubt, and it can be very frustrating for the average language learner. One problem with English is that it has so many expressions and phrasal verbs that use the word “get” that it can be very confusing. But first let’s have a look at the literal meanings.

As I showed in the examples at the top, you will see that one of the most common uses of the word “get” is before changes in a person’s physical or emotional state. “Get” before adjectives would be the same as using “ficar” before the adjective in Portuguese:

*Remember we never say STAY Sad, hungry, angry, sick etc…

5 More Uses of the Word Get

The word “get” is so commonly used as a substitute for many words. A lot of the time when we use “get” it makes it less formal and it’s a lot more common in spoken English. Here are some examples of the 5 most common substitutions.

GET = ARRIVE (Chegar)
The word arrive sounds formal when used in conversation. Arrive would be commonly used at airports/ travel arrangements or in a serious business setting. In normal situations we tend to use “get”.

• What time did you get there?
• I’ll ring him when we get to the park

GET=RECEIVE (Receber)

This is a common mistake amongst Brazilians. Usually a Brazilian would use the word, “win” (Ganhar) in this case. In English “win” would only be used in regards to a prize or a competition/game.

• I got some cool presents for my birthday
• I got an email from my friend in Australia
• She always gets paid on Thursday

GET = OBTAIN/BUY (Obter/Comprar)

The word “buy” is used when you’re specifying the fact that you purchased something. If that’s not so important we substitute it for our good friend “get.”

• I got a new suit to wear to the conference.
• They got their instruments from the U.S.A.

GET = UNDERSTAND (Entender)

Depending on how you say it, understand sounds more formal than “get.” It could sound a little condescending as if you’re talking down to someone.

• Do you get what I’m saying?
• I don’t get it/ Got it!

GET = FETCH (Pegar)

In other words this meaning of “get” is when you leave where you are to fetch something and come back. It would not be used like in Portuguese, “pegar uma mulher”.

• Can you get me a glass of water?
•  I’m going to get her from work.

Expressions with GET

These are some of the most common, out of many. For more a more extensive list of expressions with “get”, check out this link http://www.wordreference.com/enpt/get

To get along with- (Se dar bem com) I get along really well with my co-workers.

To get over it- (supercar, sarar) I’m getting over the chicken pox / He’s still getting over his bad break up with his girlfriend.

To get rid of- (Livra-se de) I’m trying to get rid of my old car but no one wants to buy it.
The boss got rid of all the unnecessary office equipment

To get to know someone- (conhecer alguem) I would really like to get to know your sister

To get by- (se-virar) I make just enough money to get by.

So now that you know the uses of the word get, go out and put it to test. Try identifying the different uses of get while watching a movie, T.V. show or listening to some music. Hopefully you will start to get how we use them a little better, take advantage of all the online English resources and get excited about learning.

That’s enough “gets” for one day, If you have any questions or feedback feel free to comment. Until we meet again Real Life English readers.

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