Được (V)

Situations

S1: Nam studies well, his teacher praises him.

[1a] Thầy giáo khen Nam.
     (The teacher praises Nam.)
[1b] Nam được thầy giáo khen.
     (Nam is praised by his teacher.)

In this situation, Nam receives a good thing (praise) from his teacher. In [1b], the speaker used được to indicate that to be praised by the teacher is a good thing for Nam. Nam is the subject of the praise. In [1a], Nam is the object of the praise.

S2: Nam receives his sweetheart's letter. Nam is very happy. Nam says to Hà:

Tôi được thư của cô ấy.
(I received a letter from my sweetheart.)

In this situation, Nam is the subject who has received a letter, and that is a good thing for him.

S3: Hà asks Nam: "Why are you so happy today?". Nam answers:

Tối nay tôi được đi chơi với cô ấy.
(Tonight, I am lucky enough to go out with her!)

In this situation, Nam is the subject of the action đi chơi, and that is a good thing for Nam.

S4: Hà asked Nam: "Why were you absent this morning?". Nam answers:

Tôi bị bệnh, có giấy của bác sĩ, nên tôi được vắng mặt.
(I was ill. I have a note from the doctor, so I had permission to be absent.)

In this situation, Nam is the subject of being absent, and that is a permissible (favorable) thing for him. NOTE: In S3 and S4, if the speaker does not want to emphasize the good / fortunate nature, được can be omitted. Depending on the context, we can understand được X as having the right or permission to carry it out.

S5: Lan asks Hương about her child: "How old is your child?". Hương answers:

Nó được một tuổi rồi.
(My child is one year old.)

S6: Nam both studies and teaches. Hà asks him how much his monthly salary is. Nam answers:

Mỗi tháng tôi được 500.000 đồng.
(Each month I get 500,000 VND.)

In S5 and S6, được is used to indicate the degree or quantity attained.

Definition

Được, as a verb, indicates the meaning of receiving a good or profitable (according to the speaker) thing. After được is a good or profitable thing (S1, S2) for the person who receives it, or for the person who engages in the activity (S3, S4), or a favorable degree / quantity received (S5, S6).

  • Được belongs to the verb group bị, được, phải that expresses receiving or undergoing something favorable or unfavorable. Cf. bị (p. 17), phải2 (p. 309).

Notes

  • Được is also used to express an average or above average degree, or is used to indicate satisfaction or acceptance. Ex.:
[1] Tôi thấy anh ta được đấy.
    (I think he is O.K.)
[2] Được! Tôi sẽ làm theo ý anh.
    (All right! I will do as you wish.)

Combinations

  • không / chưa + được ...: Used to deny or refuse mildly.
[1] Cô ấy không được vui lắm.
    (She isn't so happy.)
[2] Làm như vậy chưa được tốt lắm.
    (It is not so good to do it like that.)
  • được lòng: Be liked by / win someone's heart.
[3] Ông ấy không được lòng hàng xóm.
    (He isn't liked by his neighbors.)
[4] Bà ấy sống rất được lòng người.
    (The way she lives wins the hearts of the people.)
  • được thể: Take advantage of / follow up.
[5] Chúng ta nhân nhượng, được thể hắn càng lấn tới.
    (We made a concession. Taking advantage of this, he infringed even further.)
  • được tiếng: Have a good reputation.
[6] Anh ta được tiếng là thông minh.
    (He has a reputation for being intelligent.)
[7] Anh ta làm như vậy là để được tiếng.
    (He did that in order to earn a good reputation.)