Learn a Chinese Character - 获 (Huò - To obtain; to get; to acquire; to catch; to capture; to seize; to harvest; to gather; to win; to gain; to achieve; to receive; to accept; to earn; to deserve)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 艹 (cǎo) - Grass radical

Stroke Count: 10 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Huò (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning:

• To obtain; to get; to acquire
• To catch; to capture; to seize
• To harvest; to gather

Extended Meaning:

• To win; to gain; to achieve
• To receive; to accept
• To earn; to deserve

Additional Notes: Often used in contexts related to obtaining, winning, or acquiring something, both tangible and intangible.

4. Common Words

• 获得 (huòdé) - To obtain, to get

  他获得了比赛的第一名。 (Tā huòdé le bǐsài de dìyī míng.) - He won first place in the competition.

• 收获 (shōuhuò) - Harvest, gains

  今年的收获很好。 (Jīnnián de shōuhuò hěn hǎo.) - This year's harvest is very good.

• 捕获 (bǔhuò) - To catch, to capture

  警察捕获了小偷。 (Jǐngchá bǔhuò le xiǎotōu.) - The police caught the thief.

• 获奖 (huòjiǎng) - To win an award

  她的作品获奖了。 (Tā de zuòpǐn huòjiǎng le.) - Her work won an award.

• 获益 (huòyì) - To benefit

  阅读让我获益良多。 (Yuèdú ràng wǒ huòyì liángduō.) - Reading has benefited me a lot.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech:

• Verb: Mainly used as a transitive verb meaning "to obtain" or "to get"
• Noun: In some contexts, can be used as a noun meaning "harvest" or "gain"

Usage:

• Most commonly used as a verb in both formal and informal contexts
• Often combined with other characters to form compound verbs
• Can be used in various tenses and aspects

Structure:

• 获 + Noun: 获罪 (huòzuì) - To be convicted, 获刑 (huòxíng) - To be sentenced
• Adjective + 获: 大获成功 (dàhuò chénggōng) - To be very successful, 多获好评 (duōhuò hǎopíng) - To receive much praise
• 获 + 得: 获得 (huòdé) - To obtain, to get

Notes: When used alone, "获" is less common in modern Chinese. It is more frequently used in compound words or phrases.

6. Cultural Background

The character "获" has deep cultural roots in Chinese history. Originally, it referred to harvesting crops, which was of great importance in ancient agricultural society.

In Chinese culture, "获" is often associated with positive achievements and rewards. Phrases like "丰收" (fēngshōu, bumper harvest) and "获得成功" (huòdé chénggōng, achieve success) reflect the value placed on hard work and its fruits.

The character also appears in idioms such as "不劳而获" (bùláo'érhuò, gain without effort), which conveys the traditional Chinese belief in the importance of diligence and honest labor.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

• Component Breakdown: 艹 (grass) + 犭 (dog) + 犬 (dog) = 获. The grass radical suggests the original meaning related to agriculture or harvesting.
• Sound Association: The pronunciation "huò" is the same as "货" (goods) and "或" (or), which can help with memorization.
• Image Association: Imagine someone working hard in a field and then收获ing crops - this connects to the meaning of "获" as "to obtain" or "to harvest".
• Word Association: Connect it with common words like 获得 (to obtain) and 收获 (harvest) to remember its meaning and usage.
• Stroke Order: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order to help with memorization. Start with the grass radical, then the left dog part, and finally the right dog part.