What does 得 mean in Chinese?

得 (dé) means "to obtain; to get; to gain; to catch (a disease); proper; suitable; proud; contented; to allow; to permit; ready; finished" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 2.

How do you pronounce 得?

得 is pronounced "dé" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 得?

得 is an HSK 2 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 2 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 得?

Common words with 得 include 不得不 (have no choice or option but to), 不得了 (desperately serious), 不得已 (to act against one's will), 不由得 (can't help), 不可多得 (hard to come by).

How do you write 得?

得 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 彳. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

得 (dé), to obtain

得

dé

to obtain; to get; to gain; to catch (a disease)

HSK 2verb11 strokes

Character Breakdown

得 = 彳 + 旦 + 寸

Walking at dawn with precision — to obtain

Radical: 彳 (no. 60)Strokes: 11

View stroke order →

Definitions

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

Example Sentences

我得走了。

Wǒ děi zǒu le

I have to go

Words Containing 得

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
不得不	bù dé bù	have no choice or option but to	HSK 4
不得了	bù dé liǎo	desperately serious	HSK 5
不得已	bù dé yǐ	to act against one's will	HSK 7-9
不由得	bù yóu de	can't help

Related Words

获(huò)· to catch

→

入户(rù hù)· to obtain a residence permit

→

稳拿(wěn ná)· a sure gain

→

稳获(wěn huò)· a sure catch

→

Grammar Notes

Directional 来/去HSK 2

Verb + Direction Verb + 来/去

Degree Complement (得)HSK 2

Verb + 得 + Description

Double 不 for EmphasisHSK 2

不 A 不 B OR 不...不 + Verb

把 ConstructionHSK 3

Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Complement/Result

Compound Directional ComplementsHSK 3

Verb + Direction (上/下/进/出/回/过/起) + 来/去

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 2
HSK 2.0: HSK 2
HSK Lord study list: HSK 2 list

得: HSK 2 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 2 exam

Studying for HSK 2? Keep 得 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 2 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.