吃得开 (chī dé) — to be popular or well-liked (in a certain place or field); to be effective or successful (of methods, strategies)

Definition

吃得开 means to be popular and influential within a particular circle — a person, method, or approach that 'goes over well' locally. The 得 here is a structural particle (complement of degree), not the modal verb 得 (děi, 'must').

verb
to be popular or well-liked (in a certain place or field)to be effective or successful (of methods, strategies)

Examples

  • 吃得开
    Tā zài gōng sī hěn chī dé, dà jiā dōu yuàn yì gēn tā hé zuò.
    He is very popular at the company; everyone is willing to cooperate with him.
  • 吃得开
    Zhè zhǒng xīn fāng fǎ zài shì chǎng shàng hěn chī dé.
    This new method is very successful in the market.
  • 吃得开
    Tā zhè ge rén dào nǎ r dōu chī dé, péng you tè bié duō.
    This guy is popular wherever he goes — he has a lot of friends.

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