The particles ‘的,’ ‘地,’ and ‘得’ In Mandarin Chinese – Learn Mandarin Chinese grammar structures
For many Mandarin Chinese learners the particles ‘的,’ ‘地,’ and ‘得’ present a common difficulty. Since they are all pronounced identically, the key to distinguishing them is a solid grasp of their sentence structures.
In Mandarin Chinese, the particles 的 (de), 得 (de), and 地 (de) all have the same pronunciation but serve different grammatical functions. Here’s how they differ:
1. 的 (de) → Answers “What kind of + Noun?”
Function：
1）Describes/modifies nouns (adjective + 的[de] + noun)
2）or shows possession.
3）Can also mark nominalization (turning verbs/adjectives into nouns : Verb + 的；Adjective + 的).
Examples:
这是一本有趣的书。 [zhèshì yìběn yǒuqù de shū]
This is an interesting book. (What kind of book? → 有趣的[yǒuqùde])
这是我朋友的电脑。 [zhèshì wǒ péngyou de diànnǎo]
This is my friend’s computer. (Whose computer? → 朋友的[péngyou de])
吃的 (chī de) – Something to eat (nominalization)
贵的（guì 的）- Expensive stuff (nominalization)
Pattern:
Adjective/Noun Phrase + 的[de] + Noun
Verb + 的[de]=Noun
Adjective + [de]=Noun
2. 得 (de) → Answers “Verb + 得怎么样［de zěnmeyàng]？ (How well)
Function:
Used after a **verb** or “adjective to introduce a complement** (describing degree, result, or manner).
Examples:
– 他跑步跑得快 (tā pǎobù pǎo de kuài) – *Run fast* (how someone runs)
– 他说汉语说得很好 (tā shuō hànyǔ shuō de hěn hǎo) – *Speak very well* (manner)
– 他高兴得跳起来 (tā gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái) – *So happy that [they] jumped* (result)
Pattern:
– Often appears in structures like: **Verb + 得［de] + Complement** or **Adjective + 得[de] + Complement**.
3. 地 (de) → Answers “**How + Verb”
Function:
Turns adjectives,Phrases into adverbs to describe **how an action is done**.
Examples:
– 她**开心地**笑了。 (tā kāixīn de xiàole)
*She smiled* ***happily.*** (How did she smile? → 开心地)
– 请**认真地**听。 (qǐng rènzhēn de tīng.)
*Please carefully listen.*** (How should you listen? → 认真地)
– 请慢慢地走 (mànman de zǒu) – *Please slowly walk* （How should you walk?— slowly 慢慢地［mànmànde]
-我会认真地工作 (rènzhēn de gōngzuò) – *I will diligently work
– 我一定要努力地学习 (nǔlì de xuéxí）- I will surely put all my efforts into the study.
Pattern:
– Often appears as: Adjective + 地 + Verb.
**Quick Test:** Apply your rule to these sentences!
1. 这是___ (难) 的考试，但我准备___ (很充分)。
2. 孩子们___ (安静) 地看书，老师表扬___ (很棒)。
**Answers:**
1. **难**的 (What kind of exam? → 难的), **准备得**很充分 (How well prepared? → 得+很充分)
2. **安静**地 (How did they read? → 安静地), **表扬得**很棒 (How was the praise? → 得+很棒)
******
Summary Table:
| Particle | Function | Example |
|———-|———-|———|
| **的** | Shows possession, modifies nouns | 我的车 (my car) |
| **得** | Introduces complements (degree/result) | 跑得快 (run fast) |
| **地** | Turns adjectives into adverbs | 快乐地唱 (sing happily) |
Reinforce the differences between **的**, **得**, and **地** with **HSK 3-level dialogues** and some practice exercises.
1. Dialogue Examples (HSK 3 Level)
Dialogue 1: At the Park
**A:** 你看，那是谁的小狗？跑得那么快。
*(Look, whose is that little dog **that runs** fast?)*
→ **的 (de)** – Possession (谁的) + Nominalization
**B:** 是王老师**的**，她**的**狗每天都**跑得**特别快！
*(It’s Teacher Wang’s. Her dog **runs** very fast every day!)*
→ **得 (de)** – Complement (跑得特别快 = runs very fast)
**A:** 它**开心地**追着球玩儿呢！
*(It’s **happily** chasing the ball!)*
→ **地 (de)** – Adverb (开心地 = happily modifies 追)
—
Dialogue 2: Studying for a Test**
A:** 你复习**得**怎么样？
*(How is your studying going?)*
→ **得 (de)** – Degree complement (复习得怎么样 = how well studied)
B:** 我**努力地**学习，但是语法太难了！
*(I’m **studying hard**, but the grammar is too difficult!)*
→ **地 (de)** – Adverb (努力地 = diligently modifies 学习)
A:** 别担心，多做老师给**的**练习题。
*(Don’t worry, do more of the exercises **that the teacher gave**.)*
→ **的 (de)** – Nominalization (给的 = the ones given)
2. Practice Exercises (HSK 3 Level)
**Fill in the blanks with 的, 得, or 地:**
1. 她唱___ 很好听。 *(She sings very well.)*
2. 这是谁___ 书包？ *(Whose bag is this?)*
3. 他高兴___ 跳了起来。 *(He jumped up happily.)*
4. 你写___ 字真漂亮！ *(The characters you wrote are so beautiful!)*
5. 孩子们开心___ 玩游戏。 *(The children are playing games happily.)*
**Answers:**
1. 得 (唱得)
2. 的 (谁的)
3. 地 (高兴地)
4. 的 (写的)
5. 地 (开心地)