For Chinese learners, de particles are something they must master if they want to learn Chinese well. Among the three de (的, 地, 得) in Chinese, 的 is used most frequently and is the one that most people learn. A lot of Chinese beginners cannot figure out the usage of 的, and they cannot distinguish it from other de particles. Thus, this post tries to give some explanations on how to use 的 in Chinese.
1. Using 的(de) as Structural Particle
In Chinese grammar, 的 is a structural particle, which can come before the noun and after the attributive modifier. The attributive modifier can be a noun, a pronoun, a verb, an adjective, a phrase, or even a sentence.
Attributive Modifier + 的(de) + Noun
(1) Noun/Pronoun+ 的(de) +Noun: indicating possession
For example:
我的爸爸
my father
他们的猫
their cat
北京的天气
weather in Beijing
美国的啤酒
beer made in America
Note:
When indicating family members or other close relationships, "的" can be omitted:
For example:
我的妹妹 = 我妹妹
my sister
你的儿子 = 你儿子
your son
他的女朋友 = 他女朋友
his girlfriend
When indicating an institutional or organizational relationship, "的" can be also omitted:
For example:
我的家 = 我家
my home
他们的公司 = 他们公司
their company
(2) Adj. + 的(de) +Noun
For example：
漂亮的女孩儿
beautiful girls
好吃的菜
delicious dishes
Take notes:
When the modifier is a monosyllable word, "的" can be omitted.
For example：
白的头发 = 白头发
grey hair
新的书 = 新书
new books
When an adverb appears before the monosyllable word, "的" cannot be omitted.
For example:
很小的房间
a very small room
很小房间
很老的电影
a very old movie
很老电影
(3) Verb + 的(de) +Noun
For example：
吃的东西
something to eat
你想要点儿吃的东西吗？
Would you like something to eat?
游泳的季节
season for swimming
夏天是游泳的季节。
Summer is the season for swimming.
(4) Phrase + 的(de)+ Noun
For example：
去上海的飞机
a flight to Shanghai
今天没有去上海的飞机了。
There is no flight to Shanghai today.
妈妈做的蛋糕
the cake made by mom
爸爸喜欢吃妈妈做的蛋糕。
Dad likes the cake made by mom.
2. 的 Phrase in Mandarin
When the noun after “的” is already known or has appeared, the headword (nominal word) can be omitted. This structure is called the “的” phrase in Chinese. The “的” phrase functions as a noun and can be used as the subject or object. Using “的” phrase mainly has following cases:
(1) Prounoun/Noun + 的
这本书是我的。
This is my book.
我的球是红色的
My ball is red.
(2) Verb + 的
如果你来，吃的、穿的、用的，我这儿都有。
If you come, I have food, clothing and daily necessities (for you).
老师一走进来，打的、说话的都停下来了。
As soon as the teacher came in, the students who fought and talked all stopped.
(3) Adj. +的
A: 孩子喜欢吃什么东西?
What do children like to eat?
B: 甜 的
Sweet food.
A: 你喜欢哪种女孩？
What kind of girls do you like?
B: 漂亮的。
Pretty ones.
(4) Phrase + 的
那个开车的是谁？
Who’s the driver?
妈妈做的是最好吃的。
Mom’s cooking is the best.
3. Using 的 As Modal Particle
的 is most often used as a structural particle in Mandarin. You can also put 的 at the end of a sentence to indicate that the speaker is sure of what he or she is saying. When it serves this purpose, it expresses a kind of mood, so it is called a modal particle.
你可以的。
You can do it.
她一定会来的。
She's definitely coming.
我们能搞定的。
We can handle it.
他不会道歉的。
He's not going to apologize.
4. Collocation of 的 in Chinese
(1) 有的()... 有的()...
有的 + (Subj.) + Predicate， 有的 + (Subj.) + Predicate
Some of..., and some of...
这家店的衣服有的便宜，有的贵。
Some of the clothes in this shop are cheap and some are expensive.
酒吧里，有的人在喝酒，有的人在跳舞，还有的人在聊天。
In the bar, some people are drinking, some are dancing, and some are chatting.
(2) 是(shì)......的(de)
This structure can be used to emphasize any detail that's related to a past event. , but most commonly it emphasizes time, manner, or place.
Subj. + 是 + [Information to be Emphasized] + Verb + 的
A: 你是什么时候来公司的？
When did you join the company?
B: 我是去年来公司的。
I joined the company last year.
A: 你今天是怎么去上班的？
How did you go to work today?
B: 我是坐地铁去上班的.
I go to work by subway.
A: 你是在哪儿出生的？
Where were you born?
B: 我是在美国出生的。
I was born in the USA.
(3) 挺(Tǐng)... 的
挺+ adj./verb phrase+的
… is quite, rather, or pretty + adj.
你男朋友挺帅的。
Your boyfriend is handsome.
我挺喜欢这份工作的。
I like this job.
Bottom Line
The above is the regular usage of 的 in Chinese. In general, there are four point: using 的 as structural particles, 的 phrase, using 的 as modal particle, and collocations of 的. Now, do you know how to use 的 correctly? As usual, if you have any questions or suggestions, you can tell us in the comment section below. We will post more articles on de in Chinese.
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