Understanding how to express the concept of “get” in Chinese is crucial for effective communication. Unlike English, where “get” can have numerous meanings, Chinese uses a variety of verbs and phrases to convey the different nuances of “get.” This comprehensive guide will break down the various ways to say “get” in Chinese, providing detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you master this essential aspect of the language.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and skills to use the appropriate Chinese translation of “get” in different contexts.
This guide is designed for anyone learning Mandarin Chinese, from absolute beginners to advanced students looking to refine their understanding. By mastering the various ways to express “get,” you’ll significantly improve your ability to understand and speak Chinese fluently and accurately.
We will explore different contexts, grammatical structures, and common usages to provide a complete picture of this multifaceted concept.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Get” and Its Chinese Equivalents
- Structural Breakdown of Common Phrases
- Types and Categories of “Get” in Chinese
- Examples of “Get” in Chinese
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of “Get” and Its Chinese Equivalents
The English verb “get” is incredibly versatile, with a wide range of meanings depending on the context. In Chinese, there isn’t a single word that directly translates to all the uses of “get.” Instead, different Chinese verbs and phrases are used to convey the specific meaning of “get” in each situation.
Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate and natural-sounding Chinese.
Here’s a breakdown of the primary meanings of “get” and their corresponding Chinese equivalents:
- To Obtain or Receive: This meaning refers to acquiring something, either physically or abstractly. Common Chinese translations include 得到 (dédào) and 获得 (huòdé).
- To Arrive or Reach: This refers to reaching a destination or a specific point. Chinese equivalents include 到达 (dàodá) and 抵达 (dǐdá).
- To Understand: This refers to comprehending something. The most common translations are 明白 (míngbái) and 了解 (liǎojiě).
- To Allow or Permit: This refers to granting permission or enabling someone to do something. Chinese equivalents include 让 (ràng) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ).
- To Cause or Make: This refers to causing something to happen or making someone do something. Again, 让 (ràng) can be used, as well as 使 (shǐ).
- To Become: This refers to changing into a different state or condition. Chinese equivalents include 变得 (biànde) and 成为 (chéngwéi).
Structural Breakdown of Common Phrases
Understanding the grammatical structure of common phrases involving the Chinese equivalents of “get” is crucial for constructing correct and natural sentences. Let’s examine the typical structures for each meaning:
1. Obtaining/Receiving (得到/获得):
The structure is generally: Subject + 得到/获得 + Object
Example: 我 得到 了一份礼物。 (Wǒ dédào le yī fèn lǐwù.) – I got a gift.
2. Arriving/Reaching (到达/抵达):
The structure is generally: Subject + 到达/抵达 + Place
Example: 我们 到达 了北京。 (Wǒmen dàodá le Běijīng.) – We arrived in Beijing.
3. Understanding (明白/了解):
The structure is generally: Subject + 明白/了解 + Object/Situation
Example: 我 明白 了你的意思。 (Wǒ míngbái le nǐ de yìsi.) – I understood your meaning.
4. Allowing/Permitting (让/允许):
The structure is generally: Subject + 让/允许 + Someone + Verb Phrase
Example: 妈妈 让 我 看 电视。 (Māmā ràng wǒ kàn diànshì.) – Mom let me watch TV.
5. Causing/Making (使/让):
The structure is generally: Subject + 使/让 + Someone/Something + Adjective/Verb Phrase
Example: 这 使 我 很 难过。(Zhè shǐ wǒ hěn nánguò.) – This made me very sad.
6. Becoming (变得/成为):
The structure is generally: Subject + 变得/成为 + Adjective/Noun
Example: 天气 变得 很 冷。(Tiānqì biànde hěn lěng.) – The weather is getting cold.
Types and Categories of “Get” in Chinese
As previously mentioned, “get” has various meanings, each requiring a different Chinese translation. Let’s delve deeper into each category with specific examples and explanations.
To Obtain or Receive (得到 dédào, 获得 huòdé)
得到 (dédào) and 获得 (huòdé) both mean “to obtain” or “to receive,” but they are used in slightly different contexts. 得到 (dédào) is more commonly used for everyday items and experiences, while 获得 (huòdé) is often used for more formal or significant achievements and awards.
For example, you might say “我得到了一本书 (Wǒ dédào le yī běn shū)” – “I got a book.” But you would more likely say “他获得了诺贝尔奖 (Tā huòdé le Nuòbèi’ěr jiǎng)” – “He obtained the Nobel Prize.”
To Arrive or Reach (到达 dàodá, 抵达 dǐdá)
到达 (dàodá) and 抵达 (dǐdá) both translate to “to arrive” or “to reach.” 到达 (dàodá) is the more common and versatile of the two. 抵达 (dǐdá) is often used in more formal contexts or when referring to reaching a destination after a long journey.
For instance, you might say “火车到达了车站 (Huǒchē dàodá le chēzhàn)” – “The train arrived at the station.” For a formal announcement, you might hear “代表团抵达北京 (Dàibiǎotuán dǐdá Běijīng)” – “The delegation arrived in Beijing.”
To Understand (明白 míngbái, 了解 liǎojiě)
明白 (míngbái) and 了解 (liǎojiě) both mean “to understand,” but 明白 (míngbái) indicates a simpler, more immediate understanding, while 了解 (liǎojiě) suggests a deeper, more comprehensive understanding.
You might say “我明白了 (Wǒ míngbái le)” – “I understand (now).” To express a more thorough understanding, you could say “我了解了情况 (Wǒ liǎojiě le qíngkuàng)” – “I understand the situation.”
To Allow or Permit (让 ràng, 允许 yǔnxǔ)
让 (ràng) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ) both mean “to allow” or “to permit.” 让 (ràng) is more informal and commonly used in everyday speech. 允许 (yǔnxǔ) is more formal and often used in official contexts or when emphasizing permission.
For example: “妈妈不让我出去 (Māmā bù ràng wǒ chūqù)” – “Mom doesn’t let me go out.” In a formal setting: “学校允许学生使用图书馆 (Xuéxiào yǔnxǔ xuésheng shǐyòng túshūguǎn)” – “The school allows students to use the library.”
To Cause or Make (使 shǐ, 让 ràng)
使 (shǐ) and 让 (ràng) can both mean “to cause” or “to make” something happen. 使 (shǐ) is more formal and often used to express a more significant or impactful cause. 让 (ràng) is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
For instance: “这件事使我很生气 (Zhè jiàn shì shǐ wǒ hěn shēngqì)” – “This matter made me very angry.” More casually: “别让他等太久 (Bié ràng tā děng tài jiǔ)” – “Don’t make him wait too long.”
To Become (变得 biànde, 成为 chéngwéi)
变得 (biànde) and 成为 (chéngwéi) both mean “to become.” 变得 (biànde) is generally used to describe a change in state or condition, often with an adjective. 成为 (chéngwéi) is used to indicate becoming a specific thing or person, often with a noun.
For example: “天气变得越来越热 (Tiānqì biànde yuè lái yuè rè)” – “The weather is getting hotter and hotter.” And: “他成为了一个医生 (Tā chéngwéi le yī gè yīshēng)” – “He became a doctor.”
Examples of “Get” in Chinese
Let’s look at more detailed examples, organized by category, to further illustrate the different ways to translate “get” into Chinese.
Examples of Obtaining or Receiving
The following table provides examples of how to use 得到 (dédào) and 获得 (huòdé) in different contexts to express “get” as “obtain” or “receive.”
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| I got a new phone. | Wǒ dédào le yī gè xīn shǒujī. | 我得到了一个新手机。 |
| She got a promotion at work. | Tā huòdé le gōngzuò shàng de shēngzhí. | 她获得了工作上的升职。 |
| Did you get my email? | Nǐ shōu dào wǒ de diànzǐ yóujiàn le ma? | 你收到我的电子邮件了吗？ |
| He got a scholarship to study abroad. | Tā huòdé le qù guówài liúxué de jiǎngxuéjīn. | 他获得了去国外留学的奖学金。 |
| We got tickets to the concert. | Wǒmen dédào le yīnyuèhuì de piào. | 我们得到了音乐会的票。 |
| I got a lot of experience from that job. | Wǒ cóng nà fèn gōngzuò zhōng huòdé le hěn duō jīngyàn. | 我从那份工作中获得了很多经验。 |
| She got a good grade on the exam. | Tā kǎoshì kǎo dé le yī gè hǎo chéngjì. | 她考试考得了一个好成绩。 |
| He got a raise in salary. | Tā shēng le gōngzī. | 他升了工资。 |
| We got a discount on the purchase. | Wǒmen huòdé le gòuwù shàng de zhékòu. | 我们获得了购物上的折扣。 |
| I got some useful information from the lecture. | Wǒ cóng jiǎngzuò zhōng dédào le yīxiē yǒuyòng de xìnxī. | 我从讲座中得到了一些有用的信息。 |
| She got a lot of support from her family. | Tā cóng jiālǐ huòdé le hěn duō zhīchí. | 她从家里获得了很多支持。 |
| He got a reputation as a talented artist. | Tā huòdé le yǒu cáihuá de yìshùjiā de shēngyù. | 他获得了有才华的艺术家的声誉。 |
| We got a chance to travel to Europe. | Wǒmen dédào le qù ōuzhōu lǚxíng de jīhuì. | 我们得到了去欧洲旅行的机会。 |
| I got a reply to my letter. | Wǒ shōu dào le wǒ de xìn de huífù. | 我收到了我的信的回复。 |
| She got a reward for her bravery. | Tā yīn wèi tā de yǒnggǎn huòdé le jiǎnglì. | 她因为她的勇敢获得了奖励。 |
| He got a warning from the police. | Tā shōu dào le jǐngchá de jǐnggào. | 他收到了警察的警告。 |
| We got a confirmation of our booking. | Wǒmen shōu dào le wǒmen yùdìng de quèrèn. | 我们收到了我们预定的确认。 |
| I got a feeling that something was wrong. | Wǒ gǎnjué dào yǒu xiē bùduìjìn. | 我感觉到有些不对劲。 |
| She got a compliment on her dress. | Tā yīn wèi tā de qúnzi shōu dào le kuājiǎng. | 她因为她的裙子收到了夸奖。 |
| He got a good education at that school. | Tā zài nà suǒ xuéxiào huòdé le liánghǎo de jiàoyù. | 他在那所学校获得了良好的教育。 |
| I got a lot of help from my friends. | Wǒ cóng wǒ de péngyou nàlǐ dédào le hěn duō bāngzhù. | 我从我的朋友那里得到了很多帮助。 |
| She got permission to leave early. | Tā huòdé le zǎo tuì de yǔnxǔ. | 她获得了早退的允许。 |
| He got a job offer from the company. | Tā shōu dào le gōngsī de gōngzuò yāoyuē. | 他收到了公司的工作邀约。 |
Examples of Arriving or Reaching
This table illustrates the use of 到达 (dàodá) and 抵达 (dǐdá) to express “get” as “arrive” or “reach” in various situations.
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| We got to the airport on time. | Wǒmen zhǔnshí dàodá le jīchǎng. | 我们准时到达了机场。 |
| The train got to the station late. | Huǒchē wǎn diǎn dàodá le chēzhàn. | 火车晚点到达了车站。 |
| When did you get to Beijing? | Nǐ shénme shíhou dàodá Běijīng de? | 你什么时候到达北京的？ |
| The delegation arrived in Shanghai yesterday. | Dàibiǎotuán zuótiān dǐdá Shànghǎi. | 代表团昨天抵达上海。 |
| We finally got to the top of the mountain. | Wǒmen zhōngyú dàodá le shāndǐng. | 我们终于到达了山顶。 |
| The package got to its destination safely. | Bāoguǒ ānquán dàodá le mùdìdì. | 包裹安全到达了目的地。 |
| I got home very late last night. | Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshang hěn wǎn cái dào jiā. | 我昨天晚上很晚才到家。 |
| The email got through to her inbox. | Diànzǐ yóujiàn chénggōng fāsòng dào tā de shōujiàn xiāng. | 电子邮件成功发送到她的收件箱。 |
| The rescue team got to the scene quickly. | Jiùyuán duìwǔ xùnsù dàodá le xiànchǎng. | 救援队伍迅速到达了现场。 |
| The news got to them before we could tell them. | Zài wǒmen gàosù tāmen zhīqián, xiāoxī jiù chuán dào tāmen nàlǐ le. | 在我们告诉他们之前，消息就传到他们那里了。 |
| We got to know each other better during the trip. | Zài lǚxíng qījiān, wǒmen gèng jiā lejiě le bǐcǐ. | 在旅行期间，我们更加了解了彼此。 |
| The project finally got to completion. | Gāi xiàngmù zhōngyú wánchéng le. | 该项目终于完成了。 |
| The message got to the right person. | Xiāoxī chuán dào le zhèngquè de rén shǒu lǐ. | 消息传到了正确的人手里。 |
| They got to see the famous painting. | Tāmen yǒu jīhuì kàn dào nà fú mínghuà. | 他们有机会看到那幅名画。 |
| We got to experience the local culture. | Wǒmen yǒu jīhuì tǐyàn dāngdì de wénhuà. | 我们有机会体验当地的文化。 |
| The price got to an all-time high. | Jiàgé dádào le lìshǐ zuìgāo diǎn. | 价格达到了历史最高点。 |
| The water level got to a dangerous point. | Shuǐwèi dádào le wēixiǎn de dìbù. | 水位达到了危险的地步。 |
| The product got to market faster than expected. | Chǎnpǐn bǐ yùqī gèng kuài shàngshì le. | 产品比预期更快上市了。 |
| He got to be the team leader. | Tā chéngwéi le duìzhǎng. | 他成为了队长。 |
| We got to participate in the competition. | Wǒmen yǒu jīhuì cānjiā bǐsài. | 我们有机会参加比赛。 |
Examples of Understanding
This table shows how to use 明白 (míngbái) and 了解 (liǎojiě) to express “get” as “understand” in various contexts. Note that 懂 (dǒng) is also commonly used for ‘understand’.
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| I get it now. | Wǒ xiànzài míngbái le. | 我现在明白了。 |
| Do you get what I’m saying? | Nǐ míngbái wǒ shuō de ma? | 你明白我说的吗？ |
| I don’t get the joke. | Wǒ bù dǒng zhège xiàohuà. | 我不懂这个笑话。 |
| She understands the problem clearly. | Tā qīngchǔ de liǎojiě zhège wèntí. | 她清楚地了解这个问题。 |
| I need to get a better understanding of the situation. | Wǒ xūyào gèng hǎo de liǎojiě qíngkuàng. | 我需要更好的了解情况。 |
| He finally got what she meant. | Tā zhōngyú míngbái tā de yìsi le. | 他终于明白她的意思了。 |
| Did you get the instructions? | Nǐ míngbái zhǐshì le ma? | 你明白指示了吗？ |
| I get the feeling that something is wrong. | Wǒ gǎnjué dào yǒu xiē bùduìjìn. | 我感觉到有些不对劲。 |
| She doesn’t get my sense of humor. | Tā bù dǒng wǒ de yōumò gǎn. | 她不懂我的幽默感。 |
| I’m starting to get the hang of it. | Wǒ kāishǐ zhújiàn shàngshǒu le. | 我开始逐渐上手了。 |
| He gets how to fix the computer. | Tā dǒng dé zěnme xiūlǐ diànnǎo. | 他懂得怎么修理电脑。 |
| I don’t get why he did that. | Wǒ bù míngbái tā wèishénme yào nàme zuò. | 我不明白他为什么要那么做。 |
| She gets the importance of education. | Tā liǎojiě jiàoyù de zhòngyào xìng. | 她了解教育的重要性。 |
| We need to get a handle on this project. | Wǒmen xūyào zhǎngwò zhège xiàngmù. | 我们需要掌握这个项目。 |
| He gets the big picture. | Tā míngbái dà jú. | 他明白大局。 |
| I get the impression that she’s not happy. | Wǒ de yìnxiàng shì tā bù kuàilè. | 我的印象是她不快乐。 |
| She gets the point of the argument. | Tā míngbái zhēnglùn de guānjiàn. | 她明白争论的关键。 |
| I get your drift. | Wǒ míngbái nǐ de yìsi. | 我明白你的意思。 |
| He gets the subtleties of the language. | Tā dǒng dé yǔyán de xìwēi zhīchù. | 他懂得语言的细微之处。 |
| We need to get to the bottom of this. | Wǒmen xūyào chámíng zhè jiàn shì de zhēnxiàng. | 我们需要查明这件事的真相。 |
Examples of Allowing or Permitting
The following table shows how 让 (ràng) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ) can be used to express “get” as “allow” or “permit.”
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| My parents don’t let me go out late. | Wǒ de fùmǔ bù ràng wǒ hěn wǎn chūqù. | 我的父母不让我很晚出去。 |
| The teacher allowed us to use our notes. | Lǎoshī yǔnxǔ wǒmen shǐyòng bǐjì. | 老师允许我们使用笔记。 |
| They let the dog run around in the park. | Tāmen ràng gǒu zài gōngyuán lǐ pǎolái pǎoqù. | 他们让狗在公园里跑来跑去。 |
| The company allows employees to work from home. | Gōngsī yǔnxǔ yuángōng zàijiā gōngzuò. | 公司允许员工在家工作。 |
| Don’t let him bother you. | Bié ràng tā dǎrǎo nǐ. | 别让他打扰你。 |
| The government allows foreign investment. | Zhèngfǔ yǔnxǔ wàiguó tóuzī. | 政府允许外国投资。 |
| Let me help you with that. | Ràng wǒ lái bāng nǐ bā. | 让我来帮你吧。 |
| The rules don’t allow smoking here. | Guīzé bù yǔnxǔ zài zhèlǐ xīyān. | 规则不允许在这里吸烟。 |
| Let’s go to the movies tonight. | Ràng wǒmen jīnwǎn qù kàn diànyǐng ba. | 让我们今晚去看电影吧。 |
| The museum allows photography. | Bówùguǎn yǔnxǔ shèyǐng. | 博物馆允许摄影。 |
| Don’t let the stress get to you. | Bié ràng yālì ràng nǐ shòu bù liǎo. | 别让压力让你受不了。 |
| The university allows students to choose their courses. | Dàxué yǔnxǔ xuésheng xuǎnzé zìjǐ de kèchéng. | 大学允许学生选择自己的课程。 |
| Let me think about it. | Ràng wǒ xiǎng xiǎng. | 让我想想。 |
| The law allows for exceptions in certain cases. | Fǎlǜ yǔnxǔ zài mǒuxiē qíngkuàng xià yǒu lìwài. | 法律允许在某些情况下有例外。 |
| Let’s not waste any time. | Ràng wǒmen bié làngfèi shíjiān le. | 让我们别浪费时间了。 |
| The company allows flexible working hours. | Gōngsī yǔnxǔ línghuó de gōngzuò shíjiān. | 公司允许灵活的工作时间。 |
| Let me know if you need anything. | Ràng wǒ zhīdào nǐ shìfǒu xūyào shénme. | 让我知道你是否需要什么。 |
| The city allows bicycles on the sidewalk. | Chéngshì yǔnxǔ zìxíngchē zài rénxíngdào shàng xíngshǐ. | 城市允许自行车在人行道上行驶。 |
| Let’s try something new. | Ràng wǒmen shì shì xīn de dōngxi ba. | 让我们试试新的东西吧。 |
| The park allows dogs on leashes. | Gōngyuán yǔnxǔ qiānzhe de gǒu. | 公园允许牵着的狗。 |
Examples of Causing or Making
This table illustrates how 使 (shǐ) and 让 (ràng) can be used to express “get” as “cause” or “make.”
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| The news made me sad. | Zhège xiāoxi ràng wǒ hěn nánguò. | 这个消息让我很难过。 |
| The movie made me cry. | Diànyǐng ràng wǒ kū le. | 电影让我哭了。 |
| His words made me angry. | Tā de huà ràng wǒ shēngqì. | 他的话让我生气。 |
| The rain made the ground wet. | Xià yǔ shǐ dìmiàn shī le. | 下雨使地面湿了。 |
| The cold weather made me sick. | Hánlěng de tiānqì ràng wǒ shēngbìng le. | 寒冷的天气让我生病了。 |
| The loud music made it hard to concentrate. | Dà shēng de yīnyuè shǐ rén nán yǐ jízhōng jīnglì. | 大声的音乐使人难以集中精力。 |
| The exercise made me tired. | Duànliàn ràng wǒ píbèi. | 锻炼让我疲惫。 |
| The pressure made her anxious. | Yālì ràng tā jiāo lǜ bù’ān. | 压力让她焦虑不安。 |
| The sunlight made the room bright. | Yángguāng shǐ fángjiān míngliàng. | 阳光使房间明亮。 |
| The success made him famous. | Chénggōng ràng tā chéngmíng. | 成功让他成名。 |
| The delay made us late. | Dānwù ràng wǒmen chídào le. | 耽误让我们迟到了。 |
| The food made me full. | Shíwù ràng wǒ bǎo le. | 食物让我饱了。 |
| The news made her happy. | Zhège xiāoxi ràng tā hěn gāoxìng. | 这个消息让她很高兴。 |
| The challenge made him stronger. | Tiǎozhàn shǐ tā gèng jiānqiáng. | 挑战使他更坚强。 |
| The experience made them wiser. | Jīnglì shǐ tāmen gèng jiànwén. | 经历使他们更见闻。 |
| The encouragement made her confident. | Gǔlì ràng tā gèng jiā zìxìn. | 鼓励让她更加自信。 |
| The rain made the plants grow. | Yǔ shǐ zhíwù shēngzhǎng. | 雨使植物生长。 |
| The mistake made him more careful. | Cuòwù ràng tā gèng jiā xiǎoxīn. | 错误让他更加小心。 |
| The disappointment made her resilient. | Shīwàng ràng tā gèng yǒu rèn xìng. | 失望让她更有韧性。 |
| The love made them inseparable. | Ài shǐ tāmen bùkěfēngē. | 爱使他们不可分割。 |
| The laughter made us feel better. | Huānxiào ràng wǒmen gǎnjué hǎo duō le. | 欢笑让我们感觉好多了。 |
| The loss made them appreciate what they had. | Sǔnshī ràng tāmen gèng jiā zhēnxī suǒ yǒu de. | 损失让他们更加珍惜所有的。 |
Examples of Becoming
Here are examples of using 变得 (biànde) and 成为 (chéngwéi) to express “get” as “become.”
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Chinese (Characters) |
|---|---|---|
| The weather is getting colder. | Tiānqì biànde yuè lái yuè lěng. | 天气变得越来越冷。 |
| He became a doctor. | Tā chéngwéi le yī gè yīshēng. | 他成为了一个医生。 |
| She is becoming more confident. | Tā biànde yuè lái yuè zìxìn. | 她变得越来越自信。 |
| The leaves are turning yellow. | Yèzi biàn chéng huángsè le. | 叶子变成黄色了。 |
| He became the CEO of the company. | Tā chéngwéi le gōngsī de shǒuxí zhíxíng guān. | 他成为了公司的首席执行官。 |
| The situation is getting worse. | Qíngkuàng biànde yuè lái yuè zāo. | 情况变得越来越糟。 |
| She became fluent in Chinese. | Tā shuō zhōngwén biànde hěn liúlì. | 她说中文变得很流利。 |
| He became a famous writer. | Tā chéngwéi le yī wèi chūmíng de zuòjiā. | 他成为了一位著名的作家。 |
| The relationship is getting stronger. | Guānxì biànde yuè lái yuè láogù. | 关系变得越来越牢固。 |
| She became a successful entrepreneur. | Tā chéngwéi le yī wèi chénggōng de qǐyèjiā. | 她成为了一位成功的企业家。 |
| The bread is getting moldy. | Miànbāo kuài yào fāméi le. | 面包快要发霉了。 |
| He is becoming more patient. | Tā biànde yuè lái yuè nàixīn. | 他变得越来越耐心。 |
| She became a professional athlete. | Tā chéngwéi le yī wèi zhuānyè yùndòngyuán. | 她成为了一位专业运动员。 |
| The milk is getting sour. | Niúnǎi biànde suān le. | 牛奶变得酸了。 |
| He became the president of the club. | Tā chéngwéi le jùlèbù de zhǔxí. | 他成为了俱乐部的主席。 |
| The water is getting warmer. | Shuǐ biànde yuè lái yuè nuǎnhuo. | 水变得越来越暖和。 |
| She became a respected leader. | Tā chéngwéi le yī wèi shòu rén zūn jìng de lǐngdǎo. | 她成为了一位受人尊敬的领导。 |
| The sky is getting darker. | Tiānkōng biànde yuè lái yuè àn. | 天空变得越来越暗。 |
| He became a responsible adult. | Tā chéngwéi le yī wèi fù zérèn de chéngnián rén. | 他成为了一位负责任的成年人。 |
| The coffee is getting cold. | Kāfēi kuài lěng le. | 咖啡快冷了。 |
Usage Rules and Considerations
When using the Chinese equivalents of “get,” it’s crucial to consider the context and the subtle differences between the various options. Here are some key rules and considerations:
- Formal vs. Informal: As mentioned earlier, some words like 获得 (huòdé) and 允许 (yǔnxǔ) are more formal than 得到 (dédào) and 让 (ràng). Choose the appropriate word based on the situation and your audience.
- Level of Understanding: Use 明白 (míngbái) for simple understanding and 了解 (liǎojiě) for deeper comprehension.
- Causation: When using 使 (shǐ) and 让 (ràng) to mean “cause,” remember that 使 (shǐ) often implies a more significant or impactful cause.
- Word Order: Pay attention to the word order in each type of phrase. For example, with 得到/获得, the structure is usually Subject + 得到/获得 + Object.
- Use of Particles: The particle 了 (le) is often used to indicate a change of state or the completion of an action. For example, “我明白了 (Wǒ míngbái le)” – “I understand now.”
- Cultural Context: Be aware of cultural nuances. For example, in some situations, it might be more polite to use a more indirect way of saying “get” or “understand.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learners often make mistakes when using the Chinese equivalents of “get.” Here are some common errors to watch out for:
- Using the wrong verb for the context: For example, using 得到 (dédào) when you should be using 到达 (dàodá).
- Incorrect word order: For example, placing the object before the verb in a sentence with 得到 (dédào).
- Misusing 了 (le): For example, omitting 了 (le) when it’s needed to indicate a change of state.
- Overusing 让 (ràng): While 让 (ràng) is versatile, it’s not always the best choice. Consider whether 使 (shǐ) or another verb might be more appropriate.
- Ignoring formality: Using informal language in a formal setting, or vice versa.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
Mistake: 我 到达 一本书。(Wǒ dàodá yī běn shū.) – Intended: I got a book. 我 到达 一本书
Correct: 我 得到 了一本书。(Wǒ dédào le yī běn shū.) 我 得到 了一本书
Mistake: 我 明白了 北京。(Wǒ míngbái le Běijīng.) – Intended: I arrived in Beijing. 我 明白了 北京
Correct: 我 到达了 北京。(Wǒ dàodá le Běijīng.) 我 到达了 北京
Mistake: 他 让 很高兴。(Tā ràng hěn gāoxìng.) – Intended: He became happy. 他 让 很高兴
Correct: 他 变得很高兴。(Tā biànde hěn gāoxìng.) 他 变得很高兴
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of the different ways to say “get” in Chinese, try these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Chinese, paying attention to the context and choosing the appropriate verb.
1. I got a new job.
2. We arrived at the hotel late.
3. Do you understand the question?
4. My boss let me leave early.
5. The movie made me laugh.
6. The weather is getting warmer.
7. She got a prize for her performance.
8. They got to the concert on time.
9. I don’t get the point of this exercise.
10. The teacher allowed us to use our dictionaries.
Answers:
1. 我得到了一份新工作。(Wǒ dédào le yī fèn xīn gōngzuò.) 我得到了一份新工作。
2. 我们很晚才到达酒店。(Wǒmen hěn wǎn cái dàodá jiǔdiàn.) 我们很晚才到达酒店。
3. 你明白这个问题吗？(Nǐ míngbái zhège wèntí ma?) 你明白这个问题吗？
4. 我的老板让我早点离开。(Wǒ de lǎobǎn ràng wǒ zǎodiǎn líkāi.) 我的老板让我早点离开。
5. 电影让我笑了。(Diànyǐng ràng wǒ xiào le.) 电影让我笑了。
6. 天气变得越来越暖和。(Tiānqì biànde yuè lái yuè nuǎnhuo.) 天气变得越来越暖和。
7. 她因为她的表演得到了一个奖。(Tā yīnwèi tā de biǎoyǎn dédào le yī gè jiǎng.) 她因为她的表演得到了一个奖。
8. 他们准时到达了音乐会。(Tāmen zhǔnshí dàodá le yīnyuèhuì.) 他们准时到达了音乐会。
9. 我不明白这个练习的意义。(Wǒ bù míngbái zhège liànxí de yìyì.) 我不明白这个练习的意义。
10. 老师允许我们使用字典。(Lǎoshī yǔnxǔ wǒmen shǐyòng zìdiǎn.) 老师允许我们使用字典。
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of using “get” in Chinese:
- Idiomatic Expressions: Chinese has many idiomatic expressions that use the equivalents of “get” in unique ways. Learning these expressions can add depth to your language skills.
- Regional Variations: The usage of certain verbs and phrases may vary depending on the region of China. Be aware of these regional differences when communicating with people from different areas.
- Figurative Language: The Chinese equivalents of “get” can be used in figurative language, such as metaphors and similes. Understanding these uses can enhance your comprehension of Chinese literature and poetry.
- Nuances in Tone: The tone of voice can also affect the meaning of certain phrases. Pay attention to the speaker’s tone to fully understand their message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one single word that means “get” in Chinese?
No, there isn’t a single word that covers all the meanings of “get.” You need to use different words and phrases depending on the context.
Which word should I use for “get” as in “receive”?
Use 得到 (dédào) for everyday items and experiences, and 获得 (huòdé) for more formal or significant achievements and awards.
How do I say “I get it” in Chinese?
You can say “我明白了 (Wǒ míngbái le)” if you understand something now, or “我懂了 (Wǒ dǒng le)”.
What’s the difference between 到达 (dàodá) and 抵达 (dǐdá)?
到达 (dàodá) is more common and versatile, while 抵达 (dǐdá) is more formal and often used for reaching a destination after a long journey.
How do I use 让 (ràng) correctly?
让 (ràng) can mean “to allow” or “to cause.” Make sure to use the correct word order and context to convey your intended meaning.
Conclusion
Mastering the various ways to say “get” in Chinese is essential for fluent and accurate communication. By understanding the different meanings of “get” and their corresponding Chinese equivalents, you can express yourself more effectively and avoid common mistakes.
Remember to consider the context, formality, and nuances of each situation when choosing the appropriate verb or phrase. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll become proficient in using the Chinese equivalents of “get” and enhance your overall language skills.
Keep practicing, and 加油 (jiāyóu)! – add oil/Let’s go!