得

• Pinyin: dé
• Hanzi breakdown: 得 = 彳(step radical) + 旦 (dawn) + 寸 (hand/measure); suggests obtaining through action

Meaning

To get; to obtain; to gain. Indicates successful acquisition of something.

As dé, it means to get, obtain, or acquire. Common in phrases like 得到 (to obtain) and 获得 (to gain). Note: this character has two other pronunciations — de (structural particle after verbs) and děi (must, have to) — with completely different functions.

Examples

1. 他在比赛中得了第一名。 He won first place in the competition.
2. 我得到了一个好消息。 I received some good news.
3. 她终于得到了那份工作。 She finally got that job.

Usage Guide

Context: achievement, competition, everyday

Tone: neutral, positive

Do Say

• 他得了一百分。(He got a hundred points.)
• 这次活动得到了大家的支持。(This event received everyone's support.)

Don't Say

• 注意得的三个读音不要搞混 — dé means to get, de is a structural particle as in 跑得快, and děi means must as in 我得走了. Wrong tone changes the entire meaning.

Origin & History

Ancient character combining 彳 (to walk) and 寸 (hand/measure). Originally depicted the action of a hand grasping something obtained through effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal