Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== qude: 取得 - To Obtain, Acquire, Achieve ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 取得, qude, how to use qude, meaning of qude, obtain in Chinese, achieve in Chinese, gain in Chinese, get in Chinese, 取得 vs 得到, 取得 vs 获得, Chinese grammar, HSK 4 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **取得 (qǔdé)**, meaning to obtain, acquire, or achieve. This HSK 4 term is crucial for expressing the successful attainment of something, usually through significant effort. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage, comparing it with similar words like 得到 (dédào) and 获得 (huòdé) through clear examples, helping you master how to talk about achievements and progress in Chinese. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qǔdé * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To obtain, acquire, or achieve something, typically through effort or a formal process. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **取得 (qǔdé)** as "to achieve" or "to earn." It's not for simply "getting" a cup of coffee. Instead, it's used for significant accomplishments that require work: earning a degree, gaining someone's trust, achieving success, or making progress on a major project. The word carries a feeling of formality and successful completion. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **取 (qǔ):** This character originally depicted a hand (又) taking an ear (耳), a practice from ancient warfare to count kills. Today, its core meaning has softened to simply "to take," "to fetch," or "to choose." It implies an active, deliberate action of taking something. * **得 (dé):** This character shows a hand (寸) near a shell (贝), which was a form of ancient currency. Its meaning is "to get," "to obtain," or "to gain." * The two characters combine to create a powerful meaning: **取 (to actively take) + 得 (to successfully get) = 取得 (to obtain through deliberate effort)**. The combination emphasizes a formal and successful acquisition. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In Chinese culture, great value is placed on education, credentials, and demonstrable success. **取得 (qǔdé)** is the verb that perfectly captures the result of this hard work. It's the word you use for the fruits of your labor, whether it's an academic degree (`学位`), a professional qualification (`资格`), or a hard-won victory (`胜利`). * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** In English, the word "get" is extremely flexible. You can "get a Ph.D." or "get a cold." This is not the case in Chinese. **取得 (qǔdé)** is much closer to the English concepts of "to earn," "to attain," or "to secure." It highlights the process and effort involved. While an American might say, "I got the promotion," which can sound a bit passive, a Chinese speaker using `我取得了晋升 (wǒ qǔdéle jìnshēng)` frames it as a clear achievement resulting from their hard work. This reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance and tangible results as markers of personal and professional value. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **取得** is a formal verb, most commonly found in written language, news reports, business settings, and academic contexts. It's less common in casual, everyday chat. * **Formal Achievements:** This is the most common usage. It's used for things that are officially recognized. * `取得学位` (qǔdé xuéwèi) - to obtain an academic degree * `取得资格` (qǔdé zīgé) - to get a qualification/certification * `取得国籍` (qǔdé guójí) - to obtain citizenship * **Abstract Gains:** It's also used for gaining intangible but important things, almost always through effort. * `取得信任` (qǔdé xìnrèn) - to gain trust * `取得联系` (qǔdé liánxì) - to get in touch / establish contact * `取得成功` (qǔdé chénggōng) - to achieve success * **Progress and Results:** In business or project management, it's used to describe milestones. * `取得进展` (qǔdé jìnzhǎn) - to make progress * `取得共识` (qǔdé gòngshí) - to reach a consensus * `取得成果` (qǔdé chéngguǒ) - to achieve results ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 经过多年的努力，他终于**取得**了博士学位。 * Pinyin: Jīngguò duōnián de nǔlì, tā zhōngyú **qǔdé**le bóshì xuéwèi. * English: After many years of hard work, he finally obtained his Ph.D. * Analysis: This is a classic example. A Ph.D. is a significant achievement that requires immense effort, making **取得** the perfect verb. * **Example 2:** * 我们公司的项目**取得**了重大进展。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de xiàngmù **qǔdé**le zhòngdà jìnzhǎn. * English: Our company's project has made significant progress. * Analysis: "Progress" (`进展`) is an abstract result of collective work. **取得** is used to formally announce this positive development. * **Example 3:** * 想要**取得**成功，就必须付出代价。 * Pinyin: Xiǎng yào **qǔdé** chénggōng, jiù bìxū fùchū dàijià. * English: If you want to achieve success, you must pay the price. * Analysis: This sentence highlights the inherent connection between **取得** and effort (`付出代价`). Success isn't just found; it's achieved. * **Example 4:** * 销售团队上个月**取得**了非常好的业绩。 * Pinyin: Xiāoshòu tuánduì shàng gè yuè **qǔdé**le fēicháng hǎo de yèjì. * English: The sales team achieved excellent results last month. * Analysis: `业绩` (performance/results) is a key metric in business. **取得** is the standard verb for "achieving" these results. * **Example 5:** * 在谈判中，双方**取得**了共识。 * Pinyin: Zài tánpàn zhōng, shuāngfāng **qǔdé**le gòngshí. * English: In the negotiations, both sides reached a consensus. * Analysis: Reaching a consensus (`共识`) is the successful outcome of a process (negotiation), making **取得** appropriate. * **Example 6:** * 我试了很多次，才**取得**和他的联系。 * Pinyin: Wǒ shìle hěn duō cì, cái **qǔdé** hé tā de liánxì. * English: I tried many times before I finally managed to get in contact with him. * Analysis: This shows that even "getting in touch" can use **取得** if it required significant effort. It implies establishing a formal line of communication. * **Example 7:** * 这支年轻的队伍**取得**了比赛的最终胜利。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhī niánqīng de duìwǔ **qǔdé**le bǐsài de zuìzhōng shènglì. * English: This young team secured the final victory in the competition. * Analysis: A victory (`胜利`) in a competition is earned, not given. **取得** captures this sense of winning through effort. * **Example 8:** * 诚实是**取得**他人信任的第一步。 * Pinyin: Chéngshí shì **qǔdé** tārén xìnrèn de dì yī bù. * English: Honesty is the first step to gaining the trust of others. * Analysis: Trust (`信任`) is a profound, abstract concept that must be earned over time. **取得** is the perfect fit. * **Example 9:** * 她通过了考试，**取得**了律师资格。 * Pinyin: Tā tōngguòle kǎoshì, **qǔdé**le lǜshī zīgé. * English: She passed the exam and obtained her lawyer's qualification. * Analysis: A professional license (`资格`) is a formal credential obtained through a specific process (passing an exam). * **Example 10:** * 通过这次实习，我**取得**了宝贵的工作经验。 * Pinyin: Tōngguò zhè cì shíxí, wǒ **qǔdé**le bǎoguì de gōngzuò jīngyàn. * English: Through this internship, I gained valuable work experience. * Analysis: Experience (`经验`) is accumulated through work and is seen as a valuable asset you "obtain." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`取得` vs. `得到` (dédào):** This is the most common point of confusion. * **取得 (qǔdé):** Formal, implies effort, used for significant/abstract achievements (degrees, success, trust, progress). * **得到 (dédào):** More common and general. Can be used for tangible things, gifts, or results that didn't necessarily require a huge effort. You can `得到一个礼物` (get a gift) or `得到一个消息` (get a piece of news), but you wouldn't use `取得` for these. * **Rule of Thumb:** If it's a major life achievement or a formal milestone, use **取得**. If you're just "getting" something in a general sense, use **得到**. * **`取得` vs. `获得` (huòdé):** These are very close synonyms and often interchangeable in formal contexts. * **获得 (huòdé):** Also means to obtain/gain, but often used for winning awards, prizes, or receiving something positive. It can feel slightly more like being "awarded" or "granted" something. E.g., `获得第一名` (win first place), `获得支持` (gain support). * **Subtle Difference:** You `取得成功` (achieve success) through your own process, while you `获得奖项` (win an award) which is bestowed upon you. In many cases, though, they can be used similarly (`取得/获得胜利` are both correct). * **Common Mistake:** Using **取得** for simple, everyday items. * **Incorrect:** 我去星巴克**取得**一杯咖啡。(Wǒ qù Xīngbākè **qǔdé**le yì bēi kāfēi.) * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds comically formal, as if obtaining coffee was a major life quest. * **Correct:** 我去星巴克**买**了一杯咖啡。(Wǒ qù Xīngbākè **mǎi**le yì bēi kāfēi.) - "I went to Starbucks and **bought** a coffee." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[得到]] (dédào) - A more general verb for "to get" or "to obtain," often without the strong implication of effort required by `取得`. * [[获得]] (huòdé) - A formal synonym, often used for receiving awards, honors, freedom, or support. * [[达到]] (dádào) - To "reach" or "attain" a specific level, standard, or goal. Focuses on arriving at a destination point. * [[实现]] (shíxiàn) - To "realize" or "bring to fruition." Used for making dreams, goals, or plans a reality (`实现梦想`). * [[成功]] (chénggōng) - Noun for "success," which is often the object of the verb `取得`. * [[成绩]] (chéngjì) - Noun for "results," "grades," or "achievements," especially academic or performance-related ones. One can `取得好成绩`. * [[进展]] (jìnzhǎn) - Noun for "progress." A project can `取得进展`. * [[资格]] (zīgé) - Noun for "qualification" or "certification," a formal credential one can `取得`. * [[胜利]] (shènglì) - Noun for "victory." A team can `取得胜利`.