Usage of 得以
The phrase 得以 (déyǐ) is a formal expression used to indicate that something becomes possible or is achieved through certain conditions or means. It often appears in written or formal spoken Chinese.
Meaning and Nuance
得 means "to obtain" or "to get," and 以 means "by means of" or "through." Together, 得以 conveys the idea of "being able to" or "having the opportunity to" do something because of a particular reason or method.
Common Collocations
- 通过...得以 (tōngguò... déyǐ): "through... be able to" — used to express that something is made possible by a certain method or channel.
- 得以实现 (déyǐ shíxiàn): "be able to realize" — often used with goals or dreams.
- 得以参加 (déyǐ cānjiā): "be able to participate" — used when someone gains the opportunity to join an event.
Register and Usage Notes
得以 is more formal and literary than simply using 能 or 可以. It is common in written Chinese, official documents, speeches, and formal contexts. Avoid using it in casual daily conversations.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 得以 with 得到 (dédào), which means "to obtain" or "to get" something tangible. 得以 focuses on the possibility or opportunity to do something rather than obtaining an object.
Using 得以 correctly helps express a cause-effect relationship where a condition enables an action or result.