I like getting tanned

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

Does my sentence 'I like getting tanned' sound natural? I found 'get tanned' on BNC but still not sure about my sentence. For context. 'I go to the beach as often as possible. I like getting tanned.'

 

[GoesStation]

That works. So does "I like getting skin cancer, even though it takes a while." :-|

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd say "I like getting a tan", rather than "getting tanned" but yours is possible.

 

[Yankee]

Hello.

Does my sentence 'I like getting tanned' sound natural? I found 'get tanned' on BNC but still not sure about my sentence. For context. 'I go to the beach as often as possible. I like getting tanned.'

Well, "getting tanned", at least in AmE slang can also refer to getting spanked. So, be careful how you use the term.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'd say, "I like getting a tan."

Except that I don't. If you don't look great without a tan, you won't look great with a tan.

A sun-worshipping friend of mine died of skin cancer when he was thirty.

 

[Skrej]

Well, "getting tanned", at least in AmE slang can also refer to getting spanked. So, be careful how you use the term.

I assume you're referring to the fixed expression of 'tan one's hide'? That's the only context I'm aware of it can mean that, and it requires the whole phrase. I've never heard it without including 'hide'.

I suspect it's also more of a regional colloquialism, and possibly dated, so I doubt there's many who'd mistake "I like getting tanned" it for corporal punishment.


As for the OP's meaning, while I agree the original is OK, I'd say "I like tanning' or "I like getting a tan".

 

[Yankee]

Yes. Based on my previous post, I should have mentioned that "I/We got my/our a** tanned" can refer also to a sporting event or contest which was lost by a significant margin or a scolding for some mistake or misdemeanor. And as far as "many who'd mistake 'I like getting tanned' " for a connotation other than the effect of the sun, a loss , scolding or "corporeal punishment", I plead GUILTY.