HSK 2
结构助词：得
jié gòu zhù cí ： děi
The structural particle: 得
Explanation
得 (de) here is a structural particle (a function word that links a verb to what follows it to add meaning), placed AFTER a verb or adjective to introduce a complement (the element after a verb/adjective that adds degree or result). The part after 得 tells at what degree or in what manner the action occurs.
verb + 得 + complement (usually a phrase indicating degree).
走得快 (zǒu de kuài, walk fast), 打得很不错 (dǎ de hěn búcuò, play quite well).
Use it when you want to comment on whether an action is done WELL or POORLY, FAST or SLOW, that is, to evaluate the manner/degree of something that has happened or usually happens.
得 has three readings with different meanings: read 'de' as a complement particle (跑得快 - run fast); read 'dé' when it means 'get, achieve' (得到 dédào - obtain); read 'děi' when it means 'must' (我得走了 - I have to go now).
If the verb has an object (the target acted upon, e.g. 'basketball'), you must REPEAT the verb before 得: say 打篮球打得很好, not 打篮球得很好. Also, don't mistakenly write 得 (de) as 的 or 地 - these three characters sound the same but are used differently.
Examples
He walks a bit fast.
She plays basketball quite well.
Practice
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Learn “结构助词：得” effectively
The grammar point “结构助词：得” (The structural particle: 得) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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