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March 24, 2026
得当(得當)dédàng(de2dang4)
得当 (de2 dang4) means appropriate or suitable, often used to describe actions, decisions, or situations that are fitting or well-matched. It conveys the idea of being correct in context, and is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to evaluate whether something meets the necessary standards or requirements.
Frequency#15033DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the appropriateness of an action or response is highly valued, particularly in social and business contexts. Using 得当 reflects a person's ability to navigate these expectations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a teacher (得) giving a thumbs up (当) to a student who answers a question correctly. This thumbs up represents appropriateness, as the answer is '得当' for the question asked.
Meanings of 得当
dédàng(de2dang4)
1appropriate
2suitable
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 得当
得当Simplified
得當Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 得当
Podcast: 得当
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AI Study Notes for 得当
Quick Contrast
合适 (héshì) — use 得当 when emphasizing correctness in context, while 合适 focuses more on general suitability.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a teacher (得) giving a thumbs up (当) to a student who answers a question correctly. This thumbs up represents appropriateness, as the answer is '得当' for the question asked.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 得当 with similar words like 适合 (shìhé), which also means suitable but can imply a more personal fit. This term is often used in formal contexts, so ensure you're using it where a level of professionalism is expected.
HSK Study Tips
While 得当 is not an HSK word, it connects with HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to evaluation and description, such as 合适 (héshì) meaning suitable. Focus on how to use 得当 in sentences to describe appropriateness in various scenarios.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the appropriateness of an action or response is highly valued, particularly in social and business contexts. Using 得当 reflects a person's ability to navigate these expectations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 得当 in casual speech when a simpler word like 合适 would suffice. For example, saying '这件衣服得当' instead of '这件衣服合适' can sound overly formal.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 得当
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Cultural Notes for 得当
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the appropriateness of an action or response is highly valued, particularly in social and business contexts. Using 得当 reflects a person's ability to navigate these expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 得当
Yes, 得当 is used in both formal and casual conversation, particularly when discussing whether an action or decision is appropriate.
While you could describe clothing as 得当 in terms of appropriateness for an occasion, it's more commonly used for actions or decisions.
得当 has a stronger emphasis on correctness in context, while 合适 is more about suitability and fit.
