ichidan verb, transitive verb
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.
彼女は努力して奨学金を得た。
She worked hard and obtained a scholarship.
その会社は大きな利益を得た。
The company gained a large profit.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
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.
短い説明だけでは、彼の真意を得るのは難しい。
It is difficult to grasp his true intention from such a brief explanation.
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.
祖父は若いころに病を得て、故郷に戻った。
My grandfather contracted an illness when he was young and returned to his hometown.
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.
そんな事故はどこでも起こり得る。
That kind of accident can happen anywhere.
彼が約束を忘れることもあり得る。
It is also possible that he will forget the promise.