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得 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etcHSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to obtainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to have toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to getHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
mustHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to gainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
ought toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to catch (a disease)HSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to need toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
properHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
suitableHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
proudHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
contentedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to allowHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to permitHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
readyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
finishedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; readyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
destructural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etcHSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto obtainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto have toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto getHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
demustHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto gainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deought toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto catch (a disease)HSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto need toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deproperHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
desuitableHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deproudHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
decontentedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto allowHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto permitHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
dereadyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
definishedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
deto obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; readyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děistructural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etcHSK 2, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito obtainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito have toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito getHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děimustHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito gainHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děiought toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito catch (a disease)HSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito need toHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děiproperHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děisuitableHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děiproudHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děicontentedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito allowHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito permitHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děireadyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děifinishedHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
děito obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; readyHSK 2, ud, 11 strokes, radical 彳, rank #49, Medium
de(de5)
primary
T5
  1. 1structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc
  2. 2to obtain
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
de(de5)

The character 得 (dé) primarily conveys the meanings of obtaining or acquiring something. It can also express necessity, indicating that one must do something or that something is needed. Additionally, it functions as a structural particle linking verbs to their effects or degrees, making it versatile in various contexts.

Strokes11RadicalFrequency#49DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of gaining or obtaining is often tied to success and achievement, reflecting the value placed on hard work and results. The character 得 is frequently used in educational contexts, where students are encouraged to strive for learning outcomes.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding a trophy, representing 'having obtained' something significant. The character 得 resembles a person standing tall, proud, and content, having achieved their goal. This visual can help you remember that 得 relates to obtaining and having to do something.

Meanings of 得

de(de5)
primary
1structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc
2to obtain
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 得

Simplified
11Strokes
Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#49Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 得

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AI Study Notes for 得

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding a trophy, representing 'having obtained' something significant. The character 得 resembles a person standing tall, proud, and content, having achieved their goal. This visual can help you remember that 得 relates to obtaining and having to do something.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 得 with other particles like 了 (le) and 会 (huì), which can lead to errors in sentence structure. Remember that 得 is used to indicate effects or degrees after verbs and adjectives. Common collocations include '得了' (dé le) for indicating a completed action or '得意' (dé yì) meaning 'proud.'

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 2 word, 得 connects well with other verbs and adjectives that express ability or necessity. Students should focus on using 得 in sentences that describe actions and their outcomes, enhancing their understanding of cause-effect relationships in Mandarin.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of gaining or obtaining is often tied to success and achievement, reflecting the value placed on hard work and results. The character 得 is frequently used in educational contexts, where students are encouraged to strive for learning outcomes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly omit 得 when it should be included, as in '我吃很饱' instead of '我吃得很饱.' This omission can lead to misunderstandings about the extent of the action.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 得

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Etymology of 得

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Originally written as 㝵. Depicts a hand (寸) grabbing a shell (貝), used as currency in ancient China, to convey the meaning "get". The 彳 (movement) component was added later.

Memory Hint

A hand 寸 grabbing a shell 旦

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 得?

Decomposition of 得

IDS Structure⿰彳⿱旦寸
Full Character
=
chi4
left
dan4
top
cun4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 得?

Write 得

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 得

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

你中文说____真好!

You speak Chinese really well!

Example Sentences for 得 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我觉得他们嘲笑我是因为我长得丑。

wǒ jué dé tā mén cháo xiào wǒ shì yīn wéi wǒ cháng dé chǒu。

I thought they were laughing at me because I was ugly.
2
我觉得自己应该放声歌唱。

wǒ jué dé zì jǐ yīng gāi fàng shēng gē chàng。

I feel as if I should break into song.
3
我尽量少得罪人。

wǒ jìn liáng shǎo dé zuì rén。

I try to offend the least amount of people possible.
4
我觉得签这个协议真傻。

wǒ jué dé qiān zhè gè xié yì zhēn shǎ。

I feel such a mug for signing the agreement.
5
我不得不承认自己的字写得不好看。

wǒ bù dé bù chéng rèn zì jǐ de zì xiě dé bù hǎo kàn。

I have to admit that I have bad handwriting.
6
我觉得那样做也许可以让他们冰释前嫌。

wǒ jué dé nà yàng zuò yě xǔ kě yǐ ràng tā mén bīng shì qián xián。

I felt that might well mend the rift between them.
7
我踉踉跄跄地,不得不抓住一把椅子稳住自己。

wǒ liáng liáng qiāng qiāng dì, , bù dé bù zhuā zhù yī bǎ yǐ zǐ wěn zhù zì。

I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support.
8
比赛时我总会紧张得不行。

bǐ sài shí wǒ zǒng huì jǐn zhāng dé bù háng。

I tend to get very uptight during a match.
9
我得慢慢学会独自生活。

wǒ dé màn màn xué huì dú zì shēng huó。

I would have to learn, little by little, to exist alone.
10
她指责我把过去忘得一干二净。

tā zhǐ zé wǒ bǎ guò qù wàng dé yī gān èr jìng。

She accuses me of having blocked out the past.

Cultural Notes for 得

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of gaining or obtaining is often tied to success and achievement, reflecting the value placed on hard work and results. The character 得 is frequently used in educational contexts, where students are encouraged to strive for learning outcomes.

Word Family of 得

Words Containing This Character20
deto get
觉得juédeto think覺得
得到dédàoto get
获得huòdéto obtain獲得
记得jìdeto remember記得
取得qǔdéto acquire
值得zhídéto be worth
不得不bùdébùcannot but
赢得yíngdéto win贏得
不得must not
显得xiǎndeto seem顯得
使得shǐdeusable
变得to become變得
懂得dǒngdeto know
得知dézhīto find out
得了déleall right!
得分défēnto score
难得nándéseldom難得
得以déyǐable to
得出déchūto obtain (results)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 得 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 得

You can use 得 to link a verb with its effect, for example, '我吃得很饱' (wǒ chī dé hěn bǎo) means 'I ate until I was full.'