To Get: Pegar versus Comprar

This is a short post, but I believe that you will find it very useful.

In English we sometimes use the verb "to get" when we mean "to buy":

• I am going to get tickets for the concert.

In a previous lesson, we saw that the verb "pegar" is often translated as "to get". This leads English speakers to use the verb "pegar" to indicate "to buy". In Portuguese it does not work this way.

When you mean "to buy", use the verb "comprar".

Examples:

• I am going to get my ticket for the concert
• = Vou comprar meu ingresso para o show

• I am going to Brazil on vacation. I need to get my ticket soon.
• = Vou ao Brazil de férias. Preciso comprar logo minha passagem.

• Sandra got the new album by Céu.
• = Sandra comprou o novo CD de Céu.

• What an awesome t-shirt. Where did you get it?
• = Que camiseta maneira. Onde você a comprou?

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Photo by Rodrigo Franca on Flickr under the Creative Commons license.

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