获得 (huò dé) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to obtain' or 'to acquire' — often implying effort, achievement, or official recognition. It combines 获 (huò), meaning 'to seize' or 'to gain', and 得 (dé), meaning 'to get' or 'to attain'. Together, they emphasize successful acquisition after action or qualification — such as receiving an award, earning a degree, or securing rights. Unlike the more colloquial 得到 (dé dào) or 拿到 (ná dào), 获得 carries a tone of legitimacy and accomplishment, frequently appearing in news reports, academic writing, and official documents.

This verb is typically transitive and requires a direct object (e.g., 获得证书, 获得支持). It does not take aspect particles like 了 or 过 directly after itself; instead, these usually follow the object or appear at the end of the clause (e.g., 已经获得了奖学金). It’s rarely used in casual speech among friends but is essential for learners aiming to read newspapers, write formal emails, or understand official announcements.