Difference between revisions of "Structural particle "de""

 
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The structural particle "de" has three written forms in modern Chinese, each with its own uses:
 
The structural particle "de" has three written forms in modern Chinese, each with its own uses:
  
* The [[#的|structural particle ]] (de) (most often used for modifying [[noun]]s)
+
* 的 (de), most often used for modifying [[noun]]s
* The [[#得|structural particle ]] () (most often used with [[complement]]s)
+
* 得 (de), most often used with [[complement]]s
* The [[#地|structural particle ]] (de) (most often used for [[adverbial phrase]]s)
+
* 地 (de), most often used with [[adverbial phrase]]s
  
There is also a [[De (modal particle)|modal particle 的]] (de).
+
There is also a [[Using "de" (modal particle)|modal particle 的]] (de), not covered in this grammar point.
  
== 的 ==
+
== 的 (de) Before Nouns ==
  
It's used to mark '''possession''' or '''modification'''. One way to think about 的 (de) is that it works like ''''''s''' in English (apostrophe s).  Think of this one as the "possessive ''de''" or "noun-modifying ''de''."
+
Before nouns, 的 (de) is used to mark '''possession''' or '''modification'''. One way to think about 的 (de) is that it works like apostrophe-"s" in English.  Think of this one as the "possessive ''de''" or "noun-modifying ''de''."
 
 
For you nerdier learners, 的 (de) is known to the Chinese as 白勺的 (bái-sháo de) as it's composed of the characters 白 (bái) and 勺 (sháo).
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 小李 <em>的</em> 房子 <span class="pinyin">Xiǎo <em>de </em> fángzi</span><span class="trans">Xiaoli<em>'s</em> house</span>
+
* 小李 <em>的</em> 房子 <span class="pinyin">Xiǎo <em>de</em> fángzi</span><span class="trans">Xiao Li's house</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
This analogy works very well for possession, as it shows how English and Chinese handle possession in a similar way. Just remember that Chinese uses this "possession" far more widely than English. Modifying, describing qualities, and assigning attributes are all handled in the same way as possession, by using 的 (de).
+
This comparison works very well for possession, as it shows how English and Chinese handle possession in a similar way. Just remember that Chinese uses this "possession" far more widely than English. Modifying, describing qualities, and assigning attributes are all handled in the same way as possession, by using 的 (de).
  
 
Another way to use 的 (de) is as an [[attributive]]. It's just a way of connecting adjectives or other words with a noun. It gives us more information about the noun, and the 的 (de) makes it clear that the extra information is connected to the noun.  Here's an example:
 
Another way to use 的 (de) is as an [[attributive]]. It's just a way of connecting adjectives or other words with a noun. It gives us more information about the noun, and the 的 (de) makes it clear that the extra information is connected to the noun.  Here's an example:
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 红色 <em>的</em> 自行车 <span class="pinyin">Hóngsè <em>de </em> zìxíngchē</span><span class="trans">red bicycle</span>
+
* 红色 <em>的</em> 自行车 <span class="pinyin">hóngsè <em>de</em> zìxíngchē</span><span class="trans">red bicycle</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Here 的 (de) is used to modify "bicycle" with the color "red." It attributes the color "red" to the "bicycle".
+
Here 的 (de) is used to modify "bicycle" with the color "red." It attributes the color "red" to the "bicycle."
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
Line 47: Line 45:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>的</em> 学校<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>de </em> xuéxiào</span><span class="trans">My school</span>
+
* 我 <em>的</em> 手机<span class="pinyin"><em>de</em> shǒujī</span><span class="trans">my cell phone</span>
* 我 <em>的</em> 手机<span class="pinyin"><em>de </em> shǒujī</span><span class="trans">My cellphone</span>
+
* 我们 <em>的</em> 老师<span class="pinyin">wǒmen <em>de</em> lǎoshī</span><span class="trans">our teacher</span>
* 你 <em>的</em> 咖啡<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>de </em> kāfēi</span><span class="trans">Your coffee</span>
+
* 漂亮 <em>的</em> 衣服<span class="pinyin">piàoliang <em>de</em> yīfu</span><span class="trans">beautiful clothes</span>
* 我们 <em>的</em> 老师<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>de </em> lǎoshī</span><span class="trans">Our teacher</span>
+
* 热闹 <em>的</em> 酒吧<span class="pinyin"> rènao <em>de</em> jiǔbā</span><span class="trans">a boisterous bar</span>
* 他 <em>的</em> 女朋友<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>de </em> nǚ péngyǒu</span><span class="trans">His girlfriend</span>
+
* 我 女朋友 <em>的</em> 公司 <span class="pinyin"> wǒ nǚpéngyou <em>de</em> gōngsī</span><span class="trans">my girlfriend's company</span>
* 漂亮 <em>的</em> 衣服<span class="pinyin">Piàoliang <em>de </em> yīfú</span><span class="trans">Beautiful clothes</span>
 
* 长 长 <em>的</em> 路<span class="pinyin">Zhǎng zhǎng <em>de </em> lù</span><span class="trans">A long road</span>
 
* 蓝 色 <em>的</em> <span class="pinyin">Lán sè <em>de </em> tiān</span><span class="trans">A blue day</span>
 
* 甜 甜 <em>的</em> 苹果<span class="pinyin">Tián tián <em>de </em> píngguǒ</span><span class="trans">A sweet apple</span>
 
* 我 <em>的</em> 红色 <em>的</em> 裙子<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>de </em> hóngsè <em>de </em> qúnzi</span><span class="trans">My red skirt</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 得 ==
+
For you nerdier learners, 的 (de) is known to the Chinese as 白勺的 (bái-sháo de) as it's composed of the characters 白 (bái) and 勺 (sháo).
 +
 
 +
== 得 (de) After Verbs ==
  
 
This ''de'' is probably the trickiest to crack for English speakers as it has no obvious equivalent in English.  得 (de) is used to construct various kinds of [[complement]]s and is usually associated with verbs. You can think of it as the "complement ''de''."
 
This ''de'' is probably the trickiest to crack for English speakers as it has no obvious equivalent in English.  得 (de) is used to construct various kinds of [[complement]]s and is usually associated with verbs. You can think of it as the "complement ''de''."
 
For you nerdier learners, 得 (de) is known as 双人得 (shuāngrén de), as the radical 彳 (chì) is often known as 双人 (shuāngrén) - "double person."
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
 
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
 +
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*走 <em>得</em> 快<span class="pinyin">Zǒu <em>dé </em> kuài</span><span class="trans">Walk fast</span>
+
* 做 <em>得</em> 好 <span class="pinyin">zuò <em>de</em> hěn hǎo</span><span class="trans">do very well</span>
*走 <em>得</em> 慢<span class="pinyin">Zǒu <em>dé </em> màn</span><span class="trans">Walk slowly</span>
+
* 说 <em>得</em> 快 <span class="pinyin">shuō <em>de</em> tài kuài</span><span class="trans">speak too fast</span>
*做 <em>得</em> 好<span class="pinyin">Zuò <em></em> hǎo</span><span class="expl">(Implies an action)</span><span class="trans">Do well</span>
+
* <em>得</em> 很 开心 <span class="pinyin">wán <em>de</em> hěn kāixīn</span><span class="trans">play very happily</span>
*做 <em>得</em> 不 好<span class="pinyin">Zuò <em>dé </em> bù hǎo</span><span class="trans">Do poorly</span>
+
* <em>得</em> 很 <span class="pinyin">kāi <em>de</em> hěn kuài </span><span class="trans">drive very fast</span>
*说 <em>得</em> 快<span class="pinyin">Shuō <em></em> kuài</span><span class="trans">Speak fast</span>
+
* <em>得</em> 很 舒服 <span class="pinyin">zhù <em>de</em> hěn shūfu </span><span class="trans">live very comfortably</span>
*听 <em>得</em> 不 清楚<span class="pinyin">Tīng <em>dé </em> bù qīngchǔ</span><span class="trans">Not hear clearly</span>
 
*笑 <em>得</em> 很 开心<span class="pinyin">Xiào <em></em> hěn kāixīn</span><span class="trans">Laugh happily</span>
 
*<em>得</em> 很 认真<span class="pinyin">Xué <em></em> hěn rènzhēn</span><span class="trans">Study seriously</span>
 
*<em>得</em> 不 好<span class="pinyin">Chī <em></em> bù hǎo</span><span class="trans">Eat poorly</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 地 ==
+
For you nerdier learners, 得 (de) is known as 双人得 (shuāngrén de), as the character component 彳 is often referred to as 双人 (shuāngrén), or the "double person" component.
  
地 (de) is used to turn [[adjective]]s into [[adverb]]s, and can be thought of as equivalent to the [[suffix]] ''-ly'' in English.  You could call it the "adverb ''de''" or "adverbial ''de''," since it precedes [[verbs]] like adverbs do.
+
=== Not an Adverb? ===
  
Again, you don't have to know this, but this 地 (de) is known in Chinese as 土也地 (tǔ-yě de), as it's composed of the 土 (tǔ) radical and 也 (yě).
+
You might be wondering how the examples using 得 (de) above are different from adverbs. That's actually a really good question, but it's one that you should defer until later in your studies. [[Complement]]s are a bit tricky, and you'll be learning a lot more about them at the [[B1|intermediate level]], so be patient!
 +
 
 +
== 地 (de) Before Verbs ==
 +
 
 +
(de) is used to turn [[adjective]]s into [[adverb]]s, and can be thought of as equivalent to the [[suffix]] ''-ly'' in English.  You could call it the "adverb ''de''" or "adverbial ''de''," since it precedes [[verb]]s like adverbs do.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
Line 103: Line 97:
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Adj + 地 +  Verb
+
Adj. + 地 +  Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
Note that it's the "adjective + 地 (de)" structure that makes the adjective into an "adverb phrase" (called an [[adverbial]]). If it's a straight-up adverb you're using (instead of an adjective), then you don't need 地 (de) at all.
 
Note that it's the "adjective + 地 (de)" structure that makes the adjective into an "adverb phrase" (called an [[adverbial]]). If it's a straight-up adverb you're using (instead of an adjective), then you don't need 地 (de) at all.
 +
 +
This pattern is also the least common of the three; you'll be using 的 (de) and 得 (de) a lot more in everyday communication than this one.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Line 113: Line 109:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*高兴 <em>地</em> <span class="trans">Happily sing</span>
+
* 生气 <em>地</em> 说  <span class="pinyin">shēngqì <em>de</em> shuō</span><span class="trans">angrily say</span>
*认真 <em></em> <span class="trans">Seriously study</span>
+
* 开心 <em>地</em> 笑 <span class="pinyin">kāixīn <em>de</em> xiào</span><span class="trans">happily laugh</span>
*开心 <em>地</em> 笑 <span class="trans">Happily laugh</span>
+
* 慢慢 <em>地</em> 走 <span class="pinyin">mànmàn <em>de</em> zǒu </span><span class="trans">slowly walk</span>
*慢 慢 <em>地</em> <span class="trans">Slowly talk</span>
+
* 伤心 <em>地</em> 哭 <span class="pinyin">shāngxīn <em>de</em> kū</span><span class="trans">sadly cry</span>
*伤心 <em>地</em> 哭 <span class="trans">Sadly cry</span>
+
* 认真 <em>地</em> 听 <span class="pinyin">rènzhēn <em>de</em> tīng</span><span class="trans">carefully listen</span>
*安静 <em>地</em> 听 <span class="trans">Peacefully listen</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Examples using all 3 "de"s ==
+
Again, you don't have to know this, but this 地 (de) is known in Chinese as 土也地 (tǔ-yě de), as it's composed of the 土 (tǔ) component on the left with a 也 (yě) on the right.
 +
 
 +
== Using All Three "de"s ==
  
These examples are naturally going to be a little more difficult than the ones above, since we're cramming all three usages into one sentence, but you may find these useful.
+
This example is naturally going to be a little more difficult than the ones above, since we're cramming all three usages into one sentence, but you may find this useful.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*她 穿 着 红 色 <em>的</em> 裙 子,安 静 <em>地</em> 走 在 路 上,走 <em>得</em> 很 慢。<span class="trans">She wears a red dress, quietly walking on the street, walking slowly.</span>
+
 
*他 <em>的</em> 女 朋 友 一 直 在 开 心 <em>地</em> 唱 歌,但 是 她 唱 <em>得</em> 很 难 听。<span class="trans">His girlfriend keeps singing happily, but she sings terribly. </span>
+
*今天  <em>的</em> 作业 你 做 <em>得</em> 不好,因为 你 没 认真 <em>地</em> 听课。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>de</em> zuòyè nǐ zuò <em>de</em> bù hǎo, yīnwèi nǐ méi rènzhēn <em>de</em> tīngkè.</span><span class="trans">You didn't do today's homework well because you didn't listen attentively in class.</span>
*我 们 <em></em> 老 师 讲 <em></em> 很 清 楚,所 以 她 不 需 要 慢 慢 <em></em> 讲。<span class="trans">Our teacher speaks very clearly, so she doesn't need to speak slowly.</span>
+
 
*你 画 <em>得</em> 很 好,蓝 蓝 <em>的</em> 天,长 长 <em>的</em> 路,可 爱 <em>的</em> 孩 子 们 开 心 <em>地</em> 笑。<span class="trans">You drew this very well: a blue sky, a long road, and cute children laughing happily.</span>
 
*我 要 认 真 <em>地</em> 对 我 <em>的</em> 儿 子 说:你 做 <em>得</em> 很 好,妈 妈 爱 你。<span class="trans">I must earnestly tell my son: you did very well, and mommy loves you. </span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)]] (pp. 133-135) [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA →buy]
+
{{Source|A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法)|133-135}}
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 72) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|72}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 291-3) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|291-3}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1]] (pp. 193 - 195) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1|193 - 195}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)]] (pp. 50-1, 99-101) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/756191251X/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=756191251X →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 3 (新实用汉语课本3)|50-1, 99-101}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)]] (p. 189)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
+
{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册)|189}}
 
 
  
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
Line 151: Line 145:
 
* Online document (Chinese): [http://wenku.baidu.com/view/3ce1a977a417866fb84a8eca.html “的”“地”“得”的用法区别] explains and shares a song about the three de's
 
* Online document (Chinese): [http://wenku.baidu.com/view/3ce1a977a417866fb84a8eca.html “的”“地”“得”的用法区别] explains and shares a song about the three de's
 
* Sinosplice: [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2011/08/16/the-three-de-song The Three De Song]
 
* Sinosplice: [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2011/08/16/the-three-de-song The Three De Song]
* East Asia Student: [http://eastasiastudent.net/890/china/mandarin/cmn-grammar/%E7%9A%84-%E5%9C%B0-%E5%BE%97-summary/ 的 地 得 grammar summary (DE particles)]
 
 
* ChinesePod blog: [http://blog.chinesepod.com/2011/05/18/the-three-musketeers-%E7%9A%84-%E5%BE%97-and-%E5%9C%B0/ The Three Musketeers (的, 得, and 地)] on ChinesePod.com
 
* ChinesePod blog: [http://blog.chinesepod.com/2011/05/18/the-three-musketeers-%E7%9A%84-%E5%BE%97-and-%E5%9C%B0/ The Three Musketeers (的, 得, and 地)] on ChinesePod.com
  
{{Basic Grammar|的|A2|的 地 |红色的车,跑得很快,慢慢地走|grammar point|ASG5MOMM}}
+
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK3}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|的|A2|的 / / 地|红色的车,跑得很快,慢慢地走|grammar point|ASG5MOMM}}
 
{{Rel char|的}}
 
{{Rel char|的}}
 
{{Rel char|得}}
 
{{Rel char|得}}

Latest revision as of 07:26, 10 April 2019

Chinese-grammar-wiki-de-1.jpg

The structural particle "de" has three written forms in modern Chinese, each with its own uses:

There is also a modal particle 的 (de), not covered in this grammar point.

的 (de) Before Nouns

Before nouns, 的 (de) is used to mark possession or modification. One way to think about 的 (de) is that it works like apostrophe-"s" in English. Think of this one as the "possessive de" or "noun-modifying de."

  • 小李 房子 Xiǎo Lǐ de fángziXiao Li's house

This comparison works very well for possession, as it shows how English and Chinese handle possession in a similar way. Just remember that Chinese uses this "possession" far more widely than English. Modifying, describing qualities, and assigning attributes are all handled in the same way as possession, by using 的 (de).

Another way to use 的 (de) is as an attributive. It's just a way of connecting adjectives or other words with a noun. It gives us more information about the noun, and the 的 (de) makes it clear that the extra information is connected to the noun. Here's an example:

  • 红色 自行车 hóngsè de zìxíngchēred bicycle

Here 的 (de) is used to modify "bicycle" with the color "red." It attributes the color "red" to the "bicycle."

Structure

Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help as a general guideline:

的 + Noun

Examples

  • 手机de shǒujīmy cell phone
  • 我们 老师wǒmen de lǎoshīour teacher
  • 漂亮 衣服piàoliang de yīfubeautiful clothes
  • 热闹 酒吧 rènao de jiǔbāa boisterous bar
  • 我 女朋友 公司 wǒ nǚpéngyou de gōngsīmy girlfriend's company

For you nerdier learners, 的 (de) is known to the Chinese as 白勺的 (bái-sháo de) as it's composed of the characters 白 (bái) and 勺 (sháo).

得 (de) After Verbs

This de is probably the trickiest to crack for English speakers as it has no obvious equivalent in English. 得 (de) is used to construct various kinds of complements and is usually associated with verbs. You can think of it as the "complement de."

Structure

Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:

Verb + 得

Examples

  • 很 好 zuò de hěn hǎodo very well
  • 太 快 shuō de tài kuàispeak too fast
  • 很 开心 wán de hěn kāixīnplay very happily
  • 很 快 kāi de hěn kuài drive very fast
  • 很 舒服 zhù de hěn shūfu live very comfortably

For you nerdier learners, 得 (de) is known as 双人得 (shuāngrén de), as the character component 彳 is often referred to as 双人 (shuāngrén), or the "double person" component.

Not an Adverb?

You might be wondering how the examples using 得 (de) above are different from adverbs. That's actually a really good question, but it's one that you should defer until later in your studies. Complements are a bit tricky, and you'll be learning a lot more about them at the intermediate level, so be patient!

地 (de) Before Verbs

地 (de) is used to turn adjectives into adverbs, and can be thought of as equivalent to the suffix -ly in English. You could call it the "adverb de" or "adverbial de," since it precedes verbs like adverbs do.

Structure

Although not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:

Adj. + 地 + Verb

Note that it's the "adjective + 地 (de)" structure that makes the adjective into an "adverb phrase" (called an adverbial). If it's a straight-up adverb you're using (instead of an adjective), then you don't need 地 (de) at all.

This pattern is also the least common of the three; you'll be using 的 (de) and 得 (de) a lot more in everyday communication than this one.

Examples

  • 生气 shēngqì de shuōangrily say
  • 开心 kāixīn de xiàohappily laugh
  • 慢慢 mànmàn de zǒu slowly walk
  • 伤心 shāngxīn desadly cry
  • 认真 rènzhēn de tīngcarefully listen

Again, you don't have to know this, but this 地 (de) is known in Chinese as 土也地 (tǔ-yě de), as it's composed of the 土 (tǔ) component on the left with a 也 (yě) on the right.

Using All Three "de"s

This example is naturally going to be a little more difficult than the ones above, since we're cramming all three usages into one sentence, but you may find this useful.

  • 今天 作业 你 做 不好,因为 你 没 认真 听课。Jīntiān de zuòyè nǐ zuò de bù hǎo, yīnwèi nǐ méi rènzhēn de tīngkè.You didn't do today's homework well because you didn't listen attentively in class.

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