得

dèděi

4 readings · tap one to hear it

to obtain; to get; to gain; to catch (a disease); proper; suitable; proud; contented; to allow; to permit; ready; finished

Sound it out + = · + =

Formation & memory

Break the character into parts you already know.

Ideographic compound (会意字)

A hand 寸 grabbing a shell 旦

Components 彳旦寸

must · Heisig RSH #756

queue + 旦 daybreak + glue

Keyword method from Heisig's Remembering Simplified Hanzi.

The most common words first — learning a character in context makes it stick.

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
记得	jì de	to remember
得到	dé dào	to get; to obtain; to receive
觉得	jué de	to think that ...; to feel that ...; to feel (uncomfortable etc)
不得人心	bù dé rén xīn	not to enjoy popular support; to be unpopular
不得不	bù dé bù	have no choice or option but to; cannot but; have to; can't help it; can't avoid
心得安	xīn dé ān	propranolol (beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure)
心安理得	xīn ān lǐ dé	to have a clear conscience; to have no qualms about sth
不得	bù dé	must not; may not; not to be allowed; cannot
得中	dé zhōng	moderate; appropriate; suitable
得中	dé zhòng	(as in an imperial examination) to be a successful candidate; to draw a winning ticket (in…
阿得拉尔	Ā dé lā ěr	Adderall (stimulant drug)
心得	xīn dé	what one has learned (through experience, reading etc); knowledge; insight; understanding;…
巴不得	bā bu de	(coll.) to be eager for; to long for; to look forward to
得无	dé wú	(literary) isn't it that...?
自得	zì dé	contented; pleased with one's position
亚得里亚海	Yà dé lǐ yà Hǎi	Adriatic Sea
三得利	Sān dé lì	Suntory, Japanese beverage company
数得上	shǔ de shàng	to be considered as outstanding or special; to be reckoned with; notable
安得	ān dé	(literary) How can one get...?; Oh, if only there were... (rhetorical wish); (literary) Is…
不可多得	bù kě duō dé	hard to come by; rare

These characters use 得 as their sound component — compare how they read.

Character	Pinyin	Meaning
得 sound part	dé	to obtain, to get, to acquire; suitable, proper; ready
嘚	dē	onomatopoeic; the sound of a horse's hooves