的(de) vs 地(di)

的 vs 地

的

When expressing the quantity/quality/feature of something/somebody, the words are followed by “的” as the attribute.

Words/phrases (quantity/quality/feature) + 的 + noun

Note that in some cases, 的 can be omitted.

The common order of attributes:

我的这三个新汉语老师都是北京人。 (Wǒ de zhè sān gè xīn hànyǔ lǎoshī dōu shì Běijīng rén.) My these three new Chinese teachers are from Beijing.

1. Noun /Pronoun A + 的 + Noun B

• Noun B belongs to noun A

e.g.

我的电脑 (wǒde diànnǎo) my computer

他的钱 (tāde qián) his money

• “的” can be omitted when B is a family member or relative of A, or B is the workplace of A.

 e.g.

 我（的）姐姐 (wǒ de jiějie) my elder sister

 你们（的）公司 (nǐmen de gōngsī) your company

• “的” is usually omitted when A is used to describe the feature of B.

e.g.

汉语书 (hànyǔ shū) Chinese book

中国人 (Zhōngguó rén) Chinese people

2. Adjective + 的 + Noun

This structure is used when indicating the adjective is the feature of the noun.

e.g.

聪明的同学 (cōngmíng de tóngxué) clever classmate

可爱的狗 (kě’ài de gǒu) cute dog

Note that when the adjective is a monosyllabic word, “的” is usually omitted.

e.g.

男同学 (nán tóngxué) male classmate

新手机 (xīn shǒujī) new cellphone

3. Verb + 的 + Noun

This structure indicates that the verb is used to modify the noun. “的” cannot omit here.

e.g.

跑步的老人 (pǎobù de lǎorén) the running old man

工作的时间 (gōngzuò de shíjiān) the time of work

4. Subject-predicate phrase + 的 + Noun

This structure indicates that this subject-predicate phrase is used to narrow down the range of B. “的” cannot omit here.

e.g.

他上的课 (tā shàng de kè) The class that he took

我买的菜 (wǒ mǎi de cài) The food that I bought

5. Preposition-object phrase + 的 + Noun

“的” cannot omit here.

e.g.

在中国的外国人 (zài Zhōngguó de wàiguó rén) the foreigners who are in China

关于你的问题 (guānyú nǐ de wèntí) about your problem

Note that when the quantifier phrase precedes the noun, “的” is not necessary.

e.g.

五个人 (wǔ gèrén) five people

✘五个的人

地

“地” usually precedes an adverbial, which is usually followed by a verb or an adjective so as to describe or explain the quality or feature of an action or object. Note that sometimes “地” can be omitted.

Adverbial + (地) + Verb/ Adjective

Common sentence order with the adverbial:

We were very happy to learn Chinese with the teacher in school yesterday.

昨天我们都在学校非常开心地跟老师学习汉语。(Zuótiān wǒmen dōu zài xuéxiào fēicháng kāixīn de gēn lǎoshī xuéxí hànyǔ.)

These orders also work：

我们昨天都在学校非常开心地跟老师学习汉语。(Wǒmen zuótiān dū zài xuéxiào fēicháng kāixīn de gēn lǎoshī xuéxí hànyǔ.)

昨天在学校我们都非常开心地跟老师学习汉语。(Zuótiān zài xuéxiào wǒmen dōu fēicháng kāixīn de gēn lǎoshī xuéxí hànyǔ.)

Adjective + 地 + verb

开心地笑 (Kāixīn de xiào) Laugh happily

Verb + 地 + Verb/Adjective （This is less common.）

雨不停地下 (yǔ bù tíng de xià) the rain keeps falling

1. “地” is used after an adverbial to describe the state or situation of action.

Note that “地” is usually omitted when a monosyllabic adjective is used as an adverbial.

e.g.

孩子开心地笑了。(Háizi kāixīn de xiàole.) The child smiled happily.

他正在很认真地工作。(Tā zhèngzài hěn rènzhēn de gōngzuò.) He is working very seriously.

老师高高兴兴地进来了。(Lǎoshī gāogāo xìngxìng de jìnláile.) The teacher came in happily.

✘ 你快地吃。(Nǐ kuài de chī.) You eat quickly.

√ 你快快地吃。/ 你快吃。(Nǐ kuài kuài de chī. / Nǐ kuài chī.)

If there is a degree adverb before the adjective, “地” should be used. But for some monosyllabic adjectives, “地” is NOT necessary. For instance, with “快” “好”，“地” is optional； with “少” “难”， “地” is omitted.

e.g.

他很热情地欢迎客人们。(Tā hěn rèqíng de huānyíng kèrénmen.) He welcomed the guests warmly.

问题很快（地）解决了。(Wèntí hěn kuài (de) jiějuéle.) The problem was resolved quickly.

这个问题大家很少想到。(Zhège wèntí dàjiā hěn shǎo xiǎngdào.) This problem is rarely thought of by everyone.

When the adjective is in reduplication forms, such as AA or AABB, “地” is optional.

e.g.

我们要好好（地）工作。(Wǒmen yào hǎohǎo (de) gōngzuò.) We have to work hard.

小朋友高高兴兴（地）出门了。(Xiǎopéngyǒu gāo gāoxìng xìng (de) chūménle.) The children went out happily.

2. When the adverbial indicates the time or place of action, “地” cannot be used.

e.g.

我一点就来了。(Wǒ yīdiǎn jiù láile.) I’ve been here at one o’clock.

我在学校看书。(Wǒ zài xuéxiào kànshū.) I read in school.

3. When the adverbial indicates scope or negation, “地” cannot be used.

e.g.

这些菜我都喜欢吃。(Zhèxiē cài wǒ dū xǐhuān chī.) I like all these dishes.

我不了解她。(Wǒ bù liǎojiě tā.) I don’t understand her.

4. When the adverbial introduces the object of an action, “地” cannot be used.

e.g.

请给我拿一本书。(Qǐng gěi wǒ ná yī běn shū.) Please get me a book.

Note that when the adverb modifies the verb or adjective, “地” is usually not used. Only for some disyllabic adverbs, “地” is optional, such as “非常”, “故意”，“慢慢”，“渐渐” and etc.

e.g.

这首歌非常（地）动人。(Zhè shǒu gē fēicháng (de) dòngrén.) This song is very moving.

大家慢慢（地）离开了。(Dàjiā màn man (de) líkāile.) Everyone left slowly.