得失
dé shī · HSK 7
gains and losses
⚖️ 得失 = gain (得 dé) + lose (失 shī) — the two sides of every scale
得 means to obtain or gain; 失 means to lose or miss. Together they form the eternal pairing: what you win and what you give up. Think of a balance scale tipping back and forth — every success has its cost.
得 — 彳 (step) + 旦 (sun/day) + 寸 (hand)
Originally depicted a hand 寸 reaching for a cowrie shell 貝 (later simplified to 旦), with 彳 'step' added to show going out and obtaining something. The core meaning is 'to get' or 'obtain'. The reading děi extends this to 'must/have to' — what one is obliged to get done.