Getting an empty value with val()

Question

I have table with the following id inside one of the rows the

Answer 1

Since the <span> isn't an <input> tag (or other form input like <select>), it will not have a .val() (value). Instead, you need either .html() or .text():

var spanishWord = $("#randomWordToTranslate");
var inputValue = spanishWord.text();
// Or:
var inputValue = spanishWord.html();