particle / verb / auxiliary verb HSK 2
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structural particle (indicating result/degree) · to get, to obtain · must, have to
Meaning
得 has three distinct pronunciations and uses. As 'de', it's a structural particle linking verbs to complements of result or degree. As 'dé', it means to obtain or get something. As 'děi', it means must or have to, expressing necessity.
Usage
The particle 'de' is extremely common in everyday speech, appearing after verbs to show how well or to what extent an action is performed (e.g., 说得很好 'speak very well'). The verb 'dé' is formal in tone. The auxiliary 'děi' is colloquial and frequently used in northern Mandarin dialects.
Examples
- 01她中文说得很流利。.She speaks Chinese very fluently.
- 02我明天得早起去机场。.I have to get up early tomorrow to go to the airport.
Common collocations
- 做得好do well, done well
- 说得对said correctly
- 得到to receive, to get
- 得不到cannot get, unable to obtain
Antonyms
Origin
Originally depicted a hand obtaining cowrie shells (ancient currency), combining 彳 (movement) and 貝 (shell/money), literally meaning to obtain or acquire.