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得了 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
得了déleall right!HSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
得了déle(emphatically, in rhetorical questions) possibleHSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
得了délethat's enough!HSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
得了déliǎoall right!HSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
得了déliǎo(emphatically, in rhetorical questions) possibleHSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
得了déliǎothat's enough!HSK 6, unknown, rank #3922, Hard
déle(de2le5)
primary
T2
  1. 1all right!
  2. 2(emphatically, in rhetorical questions) possible
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March 24, 2026
得了()déle(de2le5)

The phrase '得了' (de le) is commonly used in Mandarin to express that something is acceptable or sufficient, often in emphatic or rhetorical contexts. It can convey a sense of resignation, indicating that a situation is manageable or that no further discussion is necessary.

Frequency#3922DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

'得了' is often used in situations of negotiation or debate, reflecting the Chinese cultural emphasis on harmony and resolution. It encapsulates a pragmatic attitude towards conflicts, where reaching an agreement is prioritized over prolonged argumentation.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person throwing their hands up in the air, saying '得了' as if to say, 'That's enough!' The character 得 (de) suggests 'to get' or 'to obtain,' while 了 (le) indicates a completed action, together forming the idea of reaching a conclusion or acceptance.

Meanings of 得了

déle(de2le5)
primary
1all right!
2(emphatically, in rhetorical questions) possible
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 得了

得了Simplified
Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 得了

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AI Study Notes for 得了

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person throwing their hands up in the air, saying '得了' as if to say, 'That's enough!' The character 得 (de) suggests 'to get' or 'to obtain,' while 了 (le) indicates a completed action, together forming the idea of reaching a conclusion or acceptance.

Usage Notes

Learners should be mindful of using '得了' in informal contexts, as it can come across as dismissive if misused. It often appears in colloquial speech, and is frequently paired with negative phrases to suggest a compromise. Be careful with the tones, as mispronunciation can alter meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although '得了' is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above due to its frequent use in everyday conversation. Focus on understanding its usage in different contexts and its tonal pronunciation to enhance communication skills.

Cultural Note

'得了' is often used in situations of negotiation or debate, reflecting the Chinese cultural emphasis on harmony and resolution. It encapsulates a pragmatic attitude towards conflicts, where reaching an agreement is prioritized over prolonged argumentation.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse '得了' with similar phrases like '可以' (kěyǐ) when they mean 'it's okay.' For example, saying '我可以得了' (Wǒ kěyǐ de le) is incorrect; instead, simply use '得了' on its own for emphasis.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 得了

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Component Characters

destructural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc
HSK 211 strokes
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le(modal particle intensifying preceding clause)
HSK 12 strokes
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Write 得了

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Cultural Notes for 得了

💡Did you know?

在中文中,'得了'常用于表达一种状态的变化,类似于英语中的'has happened'。这使得中文的表达更为简洁和直接。

🏮Cultural insight

'得了' is often used in situations of negotiation or debate, reflecting the Chinese cultural emphasis on harmony and resolution. It encapsulates a pragmatic attitude towards conflicts, where reaching an agreement is prioritized over prolonged argumentation.

📜Proverb

“得之我幸,失之我命”是一句常见的成语,意思是得到某样东西是幸运的,而失去则是命运的安排。

Frequently Asked Questions about 得了

While both 得了 (déle) and 了 (le) can indicate a change of state or completion, 得了 includes the concept of obtaining or achieving something. 了 is more general and often indicates a change without the connotation of accomplishment. Understanding the nuance can help you use them correctly.