Skip to content
Kotomora

得える

え
る
Common wordJLPTN3Freq.Top 2,000

Meanings

1

ichidan verb, transitive verb

obtain; gain; earn; win

A broad transitive verb for getting something through effort, opportunity, purchase, work, or success. 獲る is a much narrower spelling associated with catching or securing game, fish, or a catch, but may be read as とる in many modern contexts.

2

ichidan verb, transitive verb

understand; comprehend; grasp

Only when written 得る

Formal or literary use meaning to grasp someone's meaning, intention, or point. In everyday speech, 分かる or 理解する is usually more natural.

3

ichidan verb, transitive verb

contract an illness; incur something undesirable

Only when written 得る

Formal or literary use for receiving something bad, especially in phrases like 病を得る, 'to contract an illness.' The punishment sense is rare in modern ordinary language, where 罰を受ける is more usual.

4

auxiliary verb, ichidan verb, transitive verb

can; be able to; be possible

Only when written 得る

Auxiliary use after the masu-stem of another verb, expressing possibility. Common in written or somewhat formal expressions such as あり得る, 起こり得る, and 考え得る; negative forms often appear as 得ない.

See also: 得ない · 得る (うる)

Usage patterns

Expressions· 49

Show 5 more

See all 49 in Explore →