得る

(2 entries)
える
Alternative writings: 獲る
JLPT:N3
Frequency:

1To obtain, acquire, or gain something (a thing, benefit, experience). When referring to catching game or winning a prize/title, it is often written 獲る.

Group 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

彼は留学で多くの貴重な経験を得た。

He gained a lot of valuable experience from studying abroad.

奨学金を得るために必要な書類を揃えた。

I prepared the necessary documents to obtain the scholarship.

猟師は山で大きな鹿を獲ることができた。

The hunter was able to catch a large deer in the mountains.

2To understand or grasp the meaning or point of something — most often seen in the set phrase 要領を得ない ('to not make sense / be unclear'); a somewhat literary usage.

Group 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

彼の説明は要領を得ず、結局何を言いたいのか分からなかった。

His explanation didn't make sense, and in the end I couldn't tell what he was trying to say.

彼女の話はいつも要領を得ていて分かりやすい。

Her explanations always get straight to the point and are easy to understand.

3To receive something undesirable, such as a punishment or an illness (e.g., 'to incur disciplinary action' or 'to fall ill') — a somewhat literary usage.

Group 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

不正が発覚し、彼は会社から厳しい処分を得た。

When his wrongdoing was discovered, he received severe disciplinary action from the company.

彼は無理を重ねた末に、重い病を得て入院した。

After pushing himself too hard for too long, he came down with a serious illness and was hospitalized.

4An auxiliary verb usage indicating possibility (in constructions like ~し得る / ~しうる), meaning 'could/ may be able to / it is possible that...'; commonly used in written language.

AuxiliaryGroup 2 VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

考え得る限りの対策はすべて講じた。

We have taken every measure imaginable.

その問題は将来再び起こり得る。

That problem could occur again in the future.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Antonym