HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 2
得
to get, to obtain; (as a particle) can, may, or used to express degree
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 2
Why does 得 look like this?
It combines 彳 (the 'step' or 'action' radical) on the left with 旦 (dawn/sun) and 寸 (hand/thumb) on the right. Historically, it looks like a hand grabbing a shell (money) or catching something, representing the idea of successfully obtaining something through action.