verb
to receive, to get
A1
bekommen: A common strong verb meaning 'to receive' or 'to get'. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect tenses (ich habe bekommen). Irregular: Präteritum bekam; Konjunktiv II bekäme. Non-reflexive and inseparable. Past participle equals infinitive (bekommen). Often used with objects; no fixed preposition.
Examples
Er bekam einen Brief.
He received a letter.
Ich bekomme ein Geschenk.
I'm getting a gift.
Sie hat eine gute Note bekommen.
She got a good grade.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a parcel coming to you labeled 'bekommen'.
Think 'be-come' — something comes to you, you receive it.
Notes
Passive forms are not normally used with 'bekommen' to mean 'receive'; instead German uses verbs like 'erhalten' for passive constructions. Therefore passive conjugations are marked 'not applicable'.