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:
+
* 的 (de), most often used for modifying [[noun]]s
 +
* 得 (de), most often used with [[complement]]s
 +
* 地 (de), most often used with [[adverbial phrase]]s
 +
 
 +
There is also a [[Using "de" (modal particle)|modal particle 的]] (de), not covered in this grammar point.
 +
 
 +
== 的 (de) Before Nouns ==
  
* The [[#的|structural particle ]] (most often used for modifying [[nouns|noun]])
+
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''."
* The [[#得|structural particle 得]] (most often used with [[complement]]s)
 
* The [[#地|structural particle 地]] (most often used for [[adverbial phrase]]s)
 
  
There is also a [[De (modal particle)|modal particle 的]].
+
<div class="liju">
  
== 的 ==
+
* 小李 <em></em> 房子 <span class="pinyin">Xiǎo Lǐ <em>de</em> fángzi</span><span class="trans">Xiao Li's house</span>
  
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
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).
  
=== Structure ===
+
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:
  
<div class="jiegou">
+
<div class="liju">
  
+ Noun
+
* 红色 <em></em> 自行车 <span class="pinyin">hóngsè <em>de</em> zìxíngchē</span><span class="trans">red bicycle</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
is known as 白勺的 (bái-sháo de) in Chinese as it's composed of the characters 白 (bái) and 勺 (sháo). It's used to mark '''possession''' or '''modification'''. One way to think about 的 is that it works like ''''''s''' in English (apostrophe s), e.g.
+
Here 的 (de) is used to modify "bicycle" with the color "red." It attributes the color "red" to the "bicycle."
  
: <span style="liju">Xiaoli''''s''' house</span>
+
=== Structure ===
  
: <span style="liju">小李'''的'''房子</span>
+
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help as a general guideline:
  
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.
+
<div class="jiegou">
  
: <span style="liju">红色''''''自行车</span>
+
+ Noun
  
Here 的 is used to modify 'bike' with the colour 'red'. You could still think of this as possession - a bike that ''belongs to'' the category ''red''.
+
</div>
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Line 39: Line 45:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>的</em> 学校<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></em> 手机<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>
* <em>的</em> 咖啡<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></em> 老师<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>
* <em>的</em> 女朋友<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></em> 衣服<span class="trans">Beautiful clothes</span>
 
* 长 长 <em>的</em> <span class="trans">A long road</span>
 
* 蓝 色 <em></em> <span class="trans">A blue day</span>
 
* 甜 甜 <em>的</em> 苹果<span class="trans">A sweet apple</span>
 
* 我 <em></em> 红色 <em>的</em> 裙子<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 ==
  
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
+
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''."
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
 +
 +
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Line 63: Line 68:
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
得 is known as 双人得 (shuāngrén de), as the radical 彳 is often known as 双人 (shuāngrén) - 'double person'. This ''de'' is probably the trickiest to crack for English speakers as it has no obvious equivalent in English.  得 is used to construct various kinds of [[complements]].
 
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
Line 70: Line 73:
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*<em>得</em> <span class="trans">Walking fast</span>
+
* <em>得</em> 很 好 <span class="pinyin">zuò <em>de</em> hěn hǎo</span><span class="trans">do very well</span>
*走 <em></em> <span class="trans">Walking slowly</span>
+
* <em>得</em> 太 快 <span class="pinyin">shuō <em>de</em> tài kuài</span><span class="trans">speak too fast</span>
*<em>得</em> <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></em> <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>
*<em>得</em> <span class="trans">Speaking 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></em> 不 清楚<span class="trans">Not hearing clearly</span>
 
*<em>得</em> 很 开心<span class="trans">Laughing very happily</span>
 
*学 <em></em> 很 认真<span class="trans">Studying very seriously</span>
 
*<em>得</em> 不 好<span class="trans">Eating unhealthy</span>
 
*长 <em></em> 很 好看<span class="trans">Grow to be good looking.</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.
  
 +
=== Not an Adverb? ===
  
Although certainly not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
+
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 ==
 +
 
 +
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 [[verb]]s like adverbs do.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
 +
 +
Although not complete for all uses, this simple structure should help:
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
地 +  Verb
+
Adj. + 地 +  Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
地 is known as 土也地 (tǔ-yě de), as it's composed of the characters 土 () and 也 (yě). It's used to mark [[adverbs]], and can often be seen as equivalent to the [[suffix]] ''-ly'' in English.
+
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 102: 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> </span><span class="trans">sadly cry</span>
*伤心 <em>地</em> 哭 <span class="trans">Sadly cry</span>
+
* 认真 <em>地</em> <span class="pinyin">rènzhēn <em>de</em> tīng</span><span class="trans">carefully listen</span>
*安静 <em></em> <span class="trans">Peacefully listen</span>
+
 
*大 声 <em>地</em> <span class="trans">Loudly talk</span>
+
</div>
*汪 汪 <em></em> <span class="trans">Sadly Call</span>
+
 
*早 早 <em>地</em> 睡觉 <span class="trans">Sleep Earlier</span>
+
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.
*难过 <em></em> 走 了 <span class="trans">Sadly walk</span>
+
 
 +
== 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.
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 
 +
*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>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
Line 119: Line 133:
 
=== 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]] (pp. 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 - 51, 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 131: 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.

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites