取得

• Pinyin: qǔ dé
• Hanzi breakdown: 取 (qǔ) — to take, to get; 得 (dé) = 彳(step) + 旦 (dawn) + 寸 (inch), meaning to obtain

Meaning

To obtain; to achieve; to gain. Used for acquiring accomplishments, results, or qualifications.

A formal verb for achieving or obtaining something significant. Commonly paired with abstract results: 取得成功 (achieve success), 取得进步 (make progress), 取得成绩 (achieve results). More formal than 得到 and emphasises effort or accomplishment.

Examples

1. 经过努力，他取得了好成绩。 Through hard work, he achieved good results.
2. 我们的工作取得了很大的进步。 Our work has made great progress.
3. 她终于取得了驾照。 She finally got her driver's licence.

Usage Guide

Context: achievements, work, study

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 他在比赛中取得了第一名。(He won first place in the competition.)
• 大家一起努力，取得更好的成绩。(Let's all work hard to achieve better results.)

Don't Say

• 不要用取得来说拿到具体物品 (Don't use 取得 for getting physical objects — use 拿到 or 得到; 取得 is for abstract achievements and qualifications)

Origin & History

取 (qǔ, to take/to get) + 得 (dé, to obtain/to get). A resultative compound reinforcing the idea of successfully obtaining something through effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal