Welcome, Japanese learners! This article takes a closer look at an important and highly versatile N2 kanji: 得. You'll find 得 everywhere, from news articles to daily conversations. Learning it well will significantly advance your Japanese studies!
Meaning
The N2 kanji 得 (え.る, とく) appears frequently in both written and spoken Japanese. Fundamentally, it means "to get," "to obtain," "to gain," or "to acquire." However, its uses are broad, extending to concepts like "profit," "advantage," "understanding," and even "ability" or "possibility" when combined with other verbs. Grasping 得 is essential for understanding many subtle Japanese expressions.
To understand its origin, we'll examine its visual components. The left side of 得 is the radical 彳 (gyōninben), meaning "step" or "to go." It’s often associated with movement, roads, or human actions. On the right, we find 艮 (gon, kon), which can mean "stop" or "limit," and beneath it, 貝 (kai), representing "shell." Historically, shells were used as currency or treasure.
When combined, the kanji 得 evokes the image of a person (彳) moving toward a goal (implied by 彳 and the directional aspect of 艮) to acquire something valuable (貝 — treasure/money). You can imagine someone on a journey (彳) reaching a destination (艮) where they can obtain precious items (貝). This imagery vividly portrays the core meaning of gaining or acquiring something of worth. The kanji's structure thus strongly embeds the idea of effort, a journey, and eventual acquisition.
With 11 strokes, 得 is relatively straightforward to write once you know the stroke order. As a Jōyō Kanji, it belongs to the standard set taught in Japanese schools and used daily. Mastering it is crucial for intermediate learners, as it's typically introduced at the secondary school level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, for 得 are primarily used in compound words. The main On'yomi is とく (toku).
The reading とく (toku) often appears in words related to gaining, advantage, or specific skills. It frequently implies benefit or achievement. For example:
得意 (tokui) — This word refers to one's strong point, forte, or specialty. It can also convey a sense of pride or satisfaction. For instance, 「彼は料理が得意だ」 (He is good at cooking).
取得 (shutoku) — Meaning "acquisition" or "obtaining," this is a more formal term than its Kun'yomi counterparts. You'll often encounter it when discussing the acquisition of a qualification or property: 「ビザを取得する」 (to obtain a visa).
損得 (sontoku) — This compound literally means "loss and gain." It's used to discuss the pros and cons, or the profit and loss, of a situation or action: 「損得を考える」 (to consider the profit and loss).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings, typically used when the kanji stands alone, often as a verb stem, or in compounds with other native Japanese words. For 得, the primary Kun'yomi are え.る (e.ru) and う.る (u.ru).
え.る (e.ru) is the most common Kun'yomi, forming the verb 得る. This fundamental verb means "to get," "to obtain," "to gain," or "to acquire."
得る (eru) — To get, to obtain. For example, 「情報を得る」 (to obtain information) or 「経験を得る」 (to gain experience).
有り得る (arieru) — This compound verb means "to be possible" or "to be conceivable." It combines 有る (aru - to exist) with 得る. For instance, 「そんなことは十分有り得る」 (That is quite possible).
〜し得る (shieru) — When attached to a verb stem (often a suru-verb stem), this expression means "to be able to do" or "to be possible to do." For example, 「理解し得る」 (rikaishieru - possible to understand).
う.る (u.ru) is a less common but still important Kun'yomi. You'll often see it in more formal or literary contexts, particularly when 得 is attached to a verb stem to indicate possibility or capability. It functions very similarly to え.る in this context.
〜し得る (shiuru) — Like しえる, this means "to be able to do" or "to be possible to do." While 「しえる」 is more common in modern conversation, 「しうる」 carries a slightly more formal or academic nuance. For example, 「考え得る最善の策」 (the best possible plan).
成り得る (nariuru) — To be able to become, to be possible. For example, 「将来大物に成り得る人物」 (a person who could become a great figure in the future).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 得 appears in many essential Japanese words, covering a broad spectrum of meanings from acquisition to understanding and advantage. Below, we'll look at some of the most common and useful compounds, grouped by theme.
Gaining & Acquisition Related
取得 (shutoku) — Acquisition, obtaining, coming into possession. This term is often used in legal or formal contexts, such as acquiring a license, property, or data.
資格の取得 (shikaku no shutoku) — acquisition of a qualification.
獲得 (kakutoku) — Winning, acquisition, possession. This implies a more active effort or competition in obtaining something, like winning a prize or securing a contract.
金メダルを獲得する (kin medaru wo kakutoku suru) — to win a gold medal.
所得 (shotoku) — Income, earnings. This refers to money or other forms of compensation received, especially from work or investments.
所得税 (shotokuzei) — income tax.
会得 (etoku) — Comprehension, mastery, learning. This term specifically refers to deeply understanding or mastering a skill, art, or concept through study and practice.
奥義を会得する (ōgi wo etoku suru) — to master the profound secrets.
Advantage & Benefit Related
得策 (tokusaku) — A good plan, a wise measure. This describes an action or strategy that brings a clear advantage or is the best course of action.
これは最善の得策だ (kore wa saizen no tokusaku da) — This is the best possible plan.
得点 (tokuten) — Score, points, marks. Commonly used in sports, exams, or any context where points are accumulated.
高得点 (kōtokuten) — high score.
納得 (nattoku) — Consent, agreement, understanding, conviction. This means to be convinced of something, to accept it, or to come to an understanding. It implies internalizing the reason.
説明に納得する (setsumei ni nattoku suru) — to be convinced by the explanation.
心得 (kokoroe) — Knowledge, instructions, understanding, rules of conduct. This refers to what one should know or be aware of, often in a practical sense or as a guideline.
従業員の心得 (jūgyōin no kokoroe) — employee handbook/guidelines.
Ability & Skill Related
得意 (tokui) — One's forte, strong point, pride. This signifies something you are particularly good at or proud of.
得意な分野 (tokui na bunya) — one's field of expertise.
不得手 (fuete) — One's weak point, dislike, clumsiness. This is the direct opposite of 得意, referring to something one is not good at or finds difficult.
計算が不得手だ (keisan ga fuete da) — I'm bad at calculations.
Possibility & Capability Related
有り得る (arieru) — Possible, conceivable, probable. This denotes that something is within the realm of possibility or could happen.
それは十分有り得る話だ (sore wa jūbun arieru hanashi da) — That's a completely plausible story.
考え得る (kangaeuru) — Conceivable, possible to think of. Similar to 有り得る, but specifically referring to something that can be considered or imagined.
考え得る限りの手段 (kangaeuru kagiri no shudan) — every conceivable means.
Example Sentences
努力すれば、どんな夢でも得ることができます。
Doryoku sureba, donna yume demo eru koto ga dekimasu.
If you make an effort, you can achieve any dream.
彼は新しい仕事で高得点を得て、昇進した。
Kare wa atarashii shigoto de kōtokuten wo ete, shōshin shita.
He scored high in his new job and got promoted.
読書によって、多くの知識を得ることができます。
Dokusho ni yotte, ooku no chishiki wo eru koto ga dekimasu.
Through reading, you can gain a lot of knowledge.
先生の丁寧な説明で、やっと納得できました。
Sensei no teinei na setsumei de, yatto nattoku dekimashita.
Thanks to the teacher's polite explanation, I finally understood/was convinced.
私の得意なことは、外国語を学ぶことです。
Watashi no tokui na koto wa, gaikokugo wo manabu koto desu.
My strong point is learning foreign languages.
そんな非常識なことは絶対に有り得ません。
Sonna hijōshiki na koto wa zettai ni ariemasen.
Such an unreasonable thing is absolutely impossible.
彼は長年の研究の結果、新しい発見を得た。
Kare wa naganen no kenkyū no kekka, atarashii hakken wo eta.
As a result of many years of research, he made a new discovery.
海外で働くために、労働ビザを取得する必要があります。
Kaigai de hataraku tame ni, rōdō biza wo shutoku suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
To work overseas, you need to obtain a work visa.
この投資は長期的に見て非常に得策だと言えるでしょう。
Kono tōshi wa chōkiteki ni mite hijō ni tokusaku da to ieru deshō.
This investment can be said to be a very wise move in the long term.
十分な情報があれば、誰でもその事実を理解し得るはずだ。
Jūbun na jōhō ga areba, dare demo sono jijitsu wo rikai shiuru hazu da.
If there is enough information, anyone should be able to understand that fact.
Memory Tip
To help remember 得 (toku, e.ru), we'll break it down into its components. On the left is 彳 (gyōninben), the "going person" radical, which suggests movement or a journey. On the right, the top part is 艮 (gon), meaning "stop" or "bound," but here it often implies a specific point or direction. Beneath that is 貝 (kai), the "shell" radical, historically representing valuable shells, money, or treasure.
You can visualize this kanji as: A person (彳) takes steps to go (艮) and obtain treasure (貝). Alternatively, picture a person (彳) on a journey reaching a specific point (艮) where they can gather valuable shells or money (貝). This narrative links movement and effort with the outcome of gaining something valuable. By remembering this journey to acquire treasure, you'll recall 得!