得ます（えます、emasu）
- to gain

The Japanese verb 得ます (えます) generally means "to obtain," "to get," "to gain," "to receive," or "to acquire" something. It implies a process of acquiring something, whether tangible (like money or a gift) or intangible (like knowledge or experience). It suggests an active process of receiving or acquiring something. The meaning can vary slightly depending on the context, but the core idea of acquisition remains.

⚫︎お金を得ました。 Translation: I got money. ⚫︎新しい知識を得ました。 Translation: I gained new knowledge. ⚫︎プレゼントを得ました。 Translation: I received a present.

得ます is used in formal and polite situations. It is the masu-form (polite form) of the verb 得る (eru). Use it when speaking respectfully or writing formally. It is common to use it when talking about results of actions, like getting a job, acquiring a degree, or winning something. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts where something is received or gained.

⚫︎ The word is typically written in kanji as 得ます or in hiragana as えます. ⚫︎ The basic form of the verb is 得る (eru). ⚫︎ The masu-form 得ますis the standard polite form. ⚫︎ The past tense is 得ました (emashita).

⚫︎ もらう (morau) - to receive (from someone) ⚫︎ 手に入れる (te ni ireru) - to obtain, to get (something) ⚫︎ 入手する (nyuushu suru) - to obtain, to get (something), a more formal term ⚫︎ 獲得する (kakutoku suru) - to acquire, to gain, often used for achievements or recognition

⚫︎ 失う (ushinau) - to lose (something) ⚫︎ なくす (nakusu) - to lose (something)

試験で良い点を得ることができました。 ・Translation: I was able to get a good score on the exam. ・Explanation: This sentence describes obtaining a good result (a good score) through the effort of studying for the exam.

彼はその会社から昇進を得ました。 ・Translation: He received a promotion from that company. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of obtaining a promotion.

The kanji 得 (toku) is composed of two parts: the radical 寸 (sun), which means "inch" or "measurement," and the phonetic component 貝 (kai), which means "shell." Historically, shells were used as currency. Thus, 得 originally meant to get or acquire something, especially valuable things like money or property. It expanded in meaning to include receiving or gaining anything.