得到
dédào
In Chinese, 'got' is expressed as 得到 (dédào).
得到 is used to convey the idea of acquiring, obtaining or receiving something.
Meaning: colloquial have/has (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 得到 consists of 得 (to obtain/get) and 到 (to reach/arrive), which literally means 'to reach the state of obtaining'.
Which one should you use?
得到 is result-oriented, implying the successful acquisition of something such as a prize or a result. This differs from the English 'have' used for continuous possession. For example, you would not use 得到 to say you possess an object like a car.
How do you pronounce it?
dédào
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 得到 to mean 'to possess' in the sense of 'to have' (for example, when saying 'I have a brother'). In Chinese, possession is expressed with 有 instead.
Did you know?
- If you use 得到 to describe a person, such as 'getting a person', it can sound like you are physically capturing or even kidnapping them rather than just meeting them.
- The word 得 is often used in the phrase 得了 (dé le), which can colloquially mean 'it is done' or even 'that's enough!', depending on the tone.
- The word 得到 is frequently used to describe receiving abstract things like 'support' 支持 or 'permission' 允许, whereas physical objects are often just described with 收到.
Examples in context
- 她得到了應得的。She got what she deserved.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 得到 regarding what someone deserved.Tatoeba #8032173 by verdastelo9604, translation #1994383 by Spamster
- 湯姆得到了一把槍。Tom got a pistol.This sentence shows the use of 得到 when receiving a physical object.Tatoeba #13210545 by LeviHighway, translation #11787422 by shekitten
- 我就是在这得到它的。I've got it right here.This sentence demonstrates using 得到 to indicate having acquired something.Tatoeba #4353685 by e78xx_xxx, translation #2359654 by CK
- 我得到了一份工作。I got a job.
- 他得到了一个机会。He got an opportunity.
- 她获得了一枚奖牌。She got a medal.
- 我们获得了胜利。We got the victory.
- 我拿到了我的包裹。I got my package.
- 他拿到了门票。He got the tickets.
- 她得了一份工作。She got a job.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a job interview result.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你收到通知了吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ shōudào tōngzhī le ma?Xiaowen, did you receive the notification?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，我得到这个工作了！Shì de, wǒ dédào zhège gōngzuò le!Yes, I got this job!
- 伟 Wei太棒了，恭喜你！Tài bàng le, gōngxǐ nǐ!That's great, congratulations!
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢，伟，一起庆祝吧。Xièxie, Wěi, yìqǐ qìngzhù ba.Thanks, Wei, let's celebrate together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
