得る・獲る|えるeru[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
得る得る（える） is the more common written form and the appropriate choice for beginners; it uses a mixture of kanji and kana.
獲る獲る（える） is a less common written form than 得る（える）; it also uses a mixture of kanji and kana.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto get; to earn; to acquire; to procure; to gain; to secure; to attain; to obtain; to win獲る esp. refers to catching wild game, etc.
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto understand; to comprehend
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto receive something undesirable (e.g. a punishment); to get (ill)
- auxiliary verb, ichidan verb, transitive verbto be able to ..., can ...after the -masu stem of a verb
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 得る（える） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 得ます（えます） |
| Negative (nai) | 得ない（えない） |
| polite (masen) | 得ません（えません） |
| classical zu / nu | 得ず・得ぬ（えず・えぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 得た（えた） |
| polite (mashita) | 得ました（えました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 得なかった（えなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 得ませんでした（えませんでした） |
| Te form | 得て（えて） |
| Potential | 得られる（えられる） |
| Passive | 得られる（えられる） |
| Causative | 得させる（えさせる） |
| Causative passive | 得させられる（えさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 得れば（えれば） |
| tara | 得たら（えたら） |
| Volitional | 得よう（えよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 得ましょう（えましょう） |
| Imperative | 得ろ（えろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym勝ち得るかちえるWrittenWritten style: to win or attain something through effort or struggle, as in 「信頼を勝ち得る」. It stresses the effort involved more than 「得る」 does.
- Synonym勝ち取るかちとるNeutralTo win something in competition, as in 「勝利を勝ち取る」; carries a sense of striving and is more common than 「勝ち得る」.
- SynonymもらうNeutralEveryday conversational word for receiving something someone gives you. 「得る」 leans written and is mostly for abstract things like 「知識を得る」.
- SynonymいただくFormalHumble counterpart of 「貰う」, for receiving from anyone you wish to show respect to — a superior, a client and the like. 「得る」 carries no deference and is mostly written.
- Synonym取るとるNeutralBasic verb for taking or getting things, as in 「休みを取る」; very common in speech, while 「得る」 is written and abstract.
- SynonymうけるNeutralTo receive or undergo something, as in 「許可を受ける」 or 「被害を受ける」; it stresses bearing what comes to you, while 「得る」 stresses ending up with something.
- SynonymちょうだいFormalHumble word for respectfully receiving, or for eating and drinking, as in 「お手紙を頂戴しました」; in speech it also means 'please give me'.
- Synonym受け取るうけとるNeutralTo take what is handed to you, or to read meaning into someone's words; the focus is the act of receiving, while 「得る」 is about making something your own.
- Synonym稼ぐかせぐNeutralTo earn money by working, or to gain points or time, as in 「時間を稼ぐ」; it stresses hard-won gains, which 「得る」 does not.
- SynonymつかむNeutralLiterally to grasp; by extension to seize an opportunity or the knack, as in 「コツを掴む」. It suggests actively going after something; 「得る」 is plainer.
- Synonym得するとくするCasualColloquial: to come out ahead or gain an advantage. 「得る」 is not limited to profit — it also covers gaining knowledge or understanding.
- Synonym獲得かくとくWrittenWritten, news-style word for winning something through effort, as in 「権利を獲得する」. Unlike 「得る」, it highlights the effort involved.
- Synonym取得しゅとくWrittenFor obtaining qualifications, rights or property, as in 「資格を取得する」; common in paperwork and legal contexts. 「得る」 is broader.
- Synonym儲けるもうけるNeutralTo make money or turn a profit, as in 「大金を儲ける」; it can also mean having a child, as in 「子供を儲ける」. 「得る」 is not limited to money.
- Synonym貰い受けるもらいうけるWrittenWritten word for solemnly receiving something from another, e.g. adoption or taking delivery of goods; more formal than 「貰う」; 「得る」 is not limited to what others give.
- Antonym失ううしなうNeutralAntonym: to lose something you had or miss a chance — the opposite of the gaining that 「得る」 describes.
- Antonym損するそんするCasualColloquial antonym: to lose out or be worse off, as in 「買って損した」 — the opposite of the gains described by 「得る」 and 「得する」.
Default to 「得る」 for written, abstract gaining such as knowledge or understanding; in everyday speech say 「もらう」 or 「取る」 instead. When receiving humbly from someone you want to show respect to, use 「頂く」; for formal acquisition of rights, qualifications or property, 「獲得」 or 「取得」. For earning money choose 「稼ぐ」 or 「儲ける」, and for profiting in daily talk 「得する」. Others add nuance: 「勝ち取る」 and 「勝ち得る」 for hard-won gains, 「受ける」 and 「受け取る」 for receiving, 「掴む」 for seizing, with 「失う」 and 「損する」 as opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
