獲 + Verb Phrase

Be Granted (Officialese)

Level 6Sounds Like wok6

獲 (wok6) + Verb Phrase is a formal way to say 'to be granted' or 'to receive' a specific outcome. It is the 'Officialese' version of a passive marker, typically used for positive or prestigious events like being rescued, awarded, or permitted.

How It Works

In formal Cantonese (news, law, administration), 獲 (wok6) functions as a specialized passive marker. Unlike the English passive which can be used for almost anything, 獲 is restricted to 'passives of acquisition.'

1. Usage and Register
This pattern is almost exclusively found in written documents or formal broadcasts. In casual speech, people prefer active sentences or the verb 得到 (dak1 dou2).

2. Common Combinations
It often fuses with monosyllabic verbs to form formal compounds:

  • 獲准 (wok6 zeon2): Be granted permission / be authorized.
  • 獲釋 (wok6 sik1): Be released (from custody/prison).
  • 獲救 (wok6 gau3): Be rescued.
  • 獲獎 (wok6 zoeng2): Be awarded a prize.

3. Agent Placement
If you want to specify who granted the action, the agent follows 獲 directly: 獲 [Agent] [Verb]. For example: 獲政府批准 (granted approval by the government). Note that unlike the 畀 (bei2) construction, you do not use an extra particle to introduce the agent.

4. Nuance
While usually positive, in legal contexts it can be used for 'receiving' a sentence (獲刑 wok6 jing4), following the logic of an official court grant.

Examples (4)

  1. 被告獲准以五千元保釋。

    The defendant was granted bail for five thousand dollars.

    Word by Word: Defendant granted-permission use five thousand dollars bail.

    This is a classic legal/news sentence. 獲准 (wok6 zeon2) is the formal way to express being granted permission.

  2. 該名失蹤男童已於今晨獲救。

    The missing boy was rescued this morning.

    Word by Word: That [classifier] missing boy already at this morning was-rescued.

    獲救 (wok6 gau3) is standard in journalistic reports for 'being rescued'.

  3. 佢嘅建議獲公司採納。

    His suggestion was adopted by the company.

    Word by Word: He [possessive] suggestion granted company adopt.

    Here, the agent 'company' (公司 gung1 si1) is placed directly after 獲 (wok6) before the verb 'adopt' (採納 coi2 naap6).

  4. 呢位運動員獲頒發金牌。

    This athlete was awarded a gold medal.

    Word by Word: This [polite classifier] athlete granted award gold-medal.

    獲頒發 (wok6 baan1 faat3) is a formal way to describe receiving an award or certificate.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 獲 (wok6) in casual daily conversation.

    我獲媽咪准去街。
    媽咪准我去街。

    獲 (wok6) is too formal for talking about your mom. In daily life, use an active sentence or '得到批准' (dak1 dou2 pai1 zeon2).

  • Using 獲 (wok6) for negative accidents or physical hits.

    佢獲車撞。
    佢被車撞。 / 佢畀車撞。

    獲 (wok6) implies a 'grant' or 'attainment'. Being hit by a car is an adversity, so you must use 被 (bei6) or 畀 (bei2).

  • Adding 畀 (bei2) to introduce the agent after 獲 (wok6).

    獲畀政府批准
    獲政府批准

    In the 獲 (wok6) construction, the agent follows the marker directly. You do not need the spoken passive marker 畀 (bei2) here.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

獲 + Verb PhraseLevel 6Be Granted (Officialese)

Learn This First

The pattern '獲 + VP' is a formal, officialese construction used to describe receiving a favorable outcome or being granted something. It requires a transition from colloquial Cantonese to written and official registers, as well as an understanding of passive-like structures where an action is performed upon the subject.

Words in This Pattern

获