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Obtenir or recevoir? French phrases for requests and replies

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ask for an appointment, talk about a diploma and check a delivery. Compare obtenir and recevoir with dialogues, verb forms, pictures and a quiz.

In short

Obtenir highlights getting or securing something: obtenir un rendez-vous, obtenir un diplôme. Recevoir highlights receiving it: recevoir un courriel, recevoir un colis. The same reply can be both obtenue and reçue, with a different focus.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A recipient accepting an unlabelled parcel from a courier at a French doorway.
A doorstep delivery illustrates recevoir un colis. Illustration: Atelier
1

Ask for an appointment; check the confirmation

The request focuses on securing a time. The follow-up focuses on the message.

YouBonjour, je voudrais obtenir un rendez-vous pour vendredi.Hello, I’d like to get an appointment for Friday.
The other personVendredi à dix heures, c’est possible.Friday at ten is possible.
YouMerci. Est-ce que je recevrai une confirmation par courriel ?Thank you. Will I receive an email confirmation?
The other personOui, je vous l’envoie maintenant.Yes, I’m sending it to you now.
2

A result, then a certificate

The qualification is the achievement; the paper is what arrives.

The other personTu as obtenu ton diplôme ?Did you get your diploma?
YouOui, j’ai obtenu mon diplôme en juin.Yes, I got my diploma in June.
The other personEt tu as déjà reçu le document ?And have you received the document yet?
YouOui, je l’ai reçu par courrier hier.Yes, I received it by post yesterday.
3

A reply can contain a refusal

Receiving an answer and securing the requested time are separate details.

The other personTu as reçu une réponse pour la salle ?Have you received a reply about the room?
YouOui, j’ai reçu un courriel ce matin.Yes, I received an email this morning.
The other personAlors, tu as obtenu la salle pour samedi ?So, did you get the room for Saturday?
YouNon, elle est déjà réservée.No, it’s already booked.

What arrived, and what was achieved?

Study first: present tense
Subjectobtenirrecevoir
j’ / jeobtiensreçois
tuobtiensreçois
il / elle / onobtientreçoit
nousobtenonsrecevons
vousobtenezrecevez
ils / ellesobtiennentreçoivent

Both verbs take avoir in the past: j’ai obtenu, j’ai reçu. Keep the cedilla in reçu. Obtenir often concerns a request or achievement, but it can be easy: j’obtiens facilement les renseignements. For replies and information, both verbs can fit: j’ai obtenu une réponse emphasises getting an answer; j’ai reçu une réponse emphasises its receipt.

Question 1No account needed
Which sentence focuses on delivery by post?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

J’ai reçu le document par courrier.. Recevoir le document par courrier focuses on how the document reached the recipient.

Question 2No account needed
Complete the past tense of obtenir.Elle a ___ l’accord de son équipe.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

obtenu. The past participle of obtenir is obtenu: elle a obtenu.

Question 3No account needed
Choose the correct present form.Nous ___ une confirmation.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

recevons. With nous, the present form is recevons, with an ordinary c.

Question 4No account needed
You received a refusal. What did you receive?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A response to the request.. A refusal is still a response; receiving it and obtaining approval are different outcomes.

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