How to say "obtain" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 得るえるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers the general sense of obtaining or acquiring something, often as the result of effort or process. A versatile choice when you gain knowledge, experience, or a benefit.
- 手に入るてにはいるexpression, godan verbUsed when something comes into your possession, often with a nuance that obtaining it was difficult or a matter of luck. The thing is the subject: the item itself 手に入る.
- 手に入れるてにいれるexpression, ichidan verbThe active counterpart: you obtain, get hold of, or procure something, typically something desirable or hard to get. Use this when you want to say you managed to get the thing yourself.
- 勝ち取るかちとるgodan verb, transitive verbReally means to win or gain something through struggle or competition, such as a victory, right, or prize. It suits 'obtain' only when effortful conquest is involved; otherwise it is not the word you want.
- 得るうるnidan verb (archaic), transitive verbThe same word as the first entry but read うる, a formal or literary variant. Choose it in written or elevated prose for the sense of getting or acquiring something.
Use 「得る」 for acquiring something through effort, 「手に入る」 for things coming to you, 「手に入れる」 for actively getting hold of something, 「勝ち取る」 for winning through struggle, and the literary 「得る」（うる） in formal writing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 得るえるto get
- 手に入るてにはいるto obtain
- 手に入れるてにいれるto obtain
- 勝ち取るかちとるto win
- ありつくto get
- 手に取るてにとるto take in one's hand
- 得うto get
- 取るとるto get
- 得るうるto get
- つかむto obtain
- 押さえるおさえるto get a hold of
- 借りるかりるto make use of (another's help, wisdom, etc.)
- 収めるおさめるto achieve (results, success, etc.)
- 仕入れるしいれるto get
- 手にするてにするto own
- 取り付けるとりつけるto (manage to) obtain (someone's agreement, permission, etc.)
- あげるto earn (something desirable)
- 占めるしめるto gain
- 引き出すひきだすto bring out (talent, potential, beauty, flavour, etc.)
- 挙げるあげるto earn (something desirable)
See also
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