得知
dézhī · HSK 7
to find out; to learn of
🔍 得 (get/obtain) + 知 (know) = get to know something
You obtain knowledge — you get hold of information. When you find out or hear about news, you have gotten (得) the knowing (知). Think of it as catching a fact that was floating past you.
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.