A personified yak teacher pointing to a whiteboard

How to Use 的 / 得 / 地: The 3 “De” Particles (Simple Rules, Real Examples)

Traditional Chinese: 的 / 得 / 地：三個「de」助詞（簡單規則＋例句）

Before a noun?Use 的
Before a verb?Use 地
After a verb?Use 得
Tap 🔊Hear zh-TW pronunciation

These three little “de” particles (的 / 得 / 地) sound the same, and that’s exactly why they bully beginners. You’ll get simple rules, plus Traditional Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, clear meanings, and real-life example sentences.

Goal: stop guessing and start choosing the right one in under 2 seconds. (Yes, even when typing fast and panicking.)

Yak Snark (gentle):

If 的 / 得 / 地 were a friend group, they’d all wear the same outfit and insist you “should just know.” Cool. We’re going to outsmart them with three tiny questions instead.

The 3-question test that saves your sanity

  • Does it come before a noun? Use 的 (possessive / description → “my…”, “pretty…”, “the one that…”)
  • Does it come before a verb/action? Use 地 (adverb → “slowly”, “carefully”, “seriously”)
  • Does it come after a verb/adjective? Use 得 (result/degree/potential complement → “run fast”, “do well”, “can/can’t”)

Fast Visual Cards: the stuff you’ll actually use

Tap the audio buttons to hear each key pattern. Every card includes a real example (with pinyin + translation).

的

de

Modifier marker (before a noun): possession or description (“…’s / of / the … one”).

這是我的書。
Zhè shì wǒ de shū.
This is my book.

得

de

Complement marker (after a verb): how well / to what degree / can or can’t.

他中文說得很好。
Tā Zhōngwén shuō de hěn hǎo.
He speaks Chinese very well.

地

de

Adverb marker (before a verb): “-ly” vibes (slowly, carefully, etc.).

請慢慢地說。
Qǐng mànmàn de shuō.
Please speak slowly.

好的

hǎo de

“Okay / got it” (and also “the good one” when used like a noun).

好的，我馬上去。
Hǎo de, wǒ mǎshàng qù.
Okay, I’ll go right away.

跑得快

pǎo de kuài

“Run fast” (verb + 得 + degree).

他跑得很快。
Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.
He runs very fast.

做得好

zuò de hǎo

“Do well” (classic 得 pattern).

你做得很好！
Nǐ zuò de hěn hǎo!
You did a great job!

認真地

rènzhēn de

“Seriously” (adverb + 地).

他認真地學中文。
Tā rènzhēn de xué Zhōngwén.
He studies Chinese seriously.

我買的

wǒ mǎi de

“The one I bought” (clause + 的 → turns into a noun-like modifier).

這是我買的咖啡。
Zhè shì wǒ mǎi de kāfēi.
This is the coffee I bought.

Relevant phrases & sentence patterns (copy-paste friendly)

These are the “muscle memory” patterns. Learn a handful and your brain will start auto-sorting 的 / 得 / 地 like it’s doing taxes (but less painful).

A 的 B

… de …

Possession or description before a noun: “A’s B / the B that is A.”

他是我的朋友。
Tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu.
He is my friend.

Adj 的 N

… de …

Adjective + 的 + noun: “pretty clothes,” “important meeting,” etc.

我喜歡漂亮的衣服。
Wǒ xǐhuān piàoliang de yīfú.
I like pretty clothes.

Clause 的 N

… de …

A whole clause + 的 + noun: “the dish I cooked,” “the place you mentioned.”

你想吃我做的菜嗎？
Nǐ xiǎng chī wǒ zuò de cài ma?
Do you want to eat the dish I cooked?

Adj 的 (as a noun)

… de

“The … one” (nominalizer). Super common in daily speech.

我想要新的，不要舊的。
Wǒ xiǎng yào xīn de, bú yào jiù de.
I want the new one, not the old one.

V 得 Adj

… de …

After the verb: describes degree/result. “Write clearly,” “speak fast,” etc.

你寫得很清楚。
Nǐ xiě de hěn qīngchu.
You wrote very clearly.

V 得 很 Adj

… de hěn …

Common “degree” structure: “do it very well/badly.”

她唱得很棒。
Tā chàng de hěn bàng.
She sings really well.

V 得 懂 / 見 / 完

… de dǒng / jiàn / wán

Potential/result complements: “can understand / can see / can finish.”

這段中文我看得懂。
Zhè duàn Zhōngwén wǒ kàn de dǒng.
I can understand this part of Chinese.

來得及 / 來不及

lái de jí / lái bù jí

“In time / too late” (yes, it’s 得 — it’s about possibility/time).

別急，我們還來得及。
Bié jí, wǒmen hái lái de jí.
Don’t worry, we still have time.

Adv 地 V

… de …

Adverb + 地 + verb: the “-ly” pattern.

下雨了，慢慢地走。
Xiàyǔ le, mànmàn de zǒu.
It’s raining—walk slowly.

小心地 + V

xiǎoxīn de …

“Carefully …” (great for real life: roads, stairs, hot soup).

路很滑，請小心地走。
Lù hěn huá, qǐng xiǎoxīn de zǒu.
The road is slippery—please walk carefully.

認真地 + V

rènzhēn de …

“Seriously …” (polite way to tell someone to focus).

請認真地聽老師說。
Qǐng rènzhēn de tīng lǎoshī shuō.
Please listen carefully to the teacher.

開心地 + V

kāixīn de …

“Happily …” (because not every sentence needs to be stress-themed).

孩子們開心地笑了。
Háizimen kāixīn de xiào le.
The kids laughed happily.

他說得快 / 他快快地說

tā shuō de kuài / tā kuàikuài de shuō

Same idea, different angle: 得 = outcome/degree after the verb; 地 = manner before the verb.

他說得太快，我聽不懂。
Tā shuō de tài kuài, wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
He speaks too fast; I can’t understand.

不要…的 (tone)

bú yào … de

Using 的 to label a “type of thing/way” (often casual speech). Use it lightly.

別怕，慢慢來就好，不要緊張。
Bié pà, mànmàn lái jiù hǎo, bú yào jǐnzhāng.
Don’t be afraid—take it slow, don’t be nervous.

A small but important curiosity: why native speakers still mix them up

In speech, people sometimes blur 地 and write 的 casually (especially in fast texting). In more careful writing, though, the “before noun / before verb / after verb” test stays the cleanest.

Two quick comparisons (so you can feel the difference)

  • 他快快地說。 (Manner before the action → “He speaks quickly.”)
  • 他說得快。 (Degree after the action → “He speaks fast.”)
  • 快快的腳步 vs 快快地走 → 的 sticks to a noun, 地 sticks to a verb.

Word Tables: build your “de” muscle memory

These are grouped by how you use them. Each row includes the Traditional Chinese term, pinyin, meaning, and a real example (with pinyin + translation).

的: possession & description (before a noun)

Traditional ChinesePinyinMeaning (EN)Example (ZH + pinyin)Translation (EN)Audio
我的
wǒ de
my
這是我的手機。
Zhè shì wǒ de shǒujī.
This is my phone.
你的
nǐ de
your
這是你的杯子嗎？
Zhè shì nǐ de bēizi ma?
Is this your cup?
他的
tā de
his
我找不到他的鑰匙。
Wǒ zhǎo bú dào tā de yàoshi.
I can’t find his keys.
她的
tā de
her
這是她的包包。
Zhè shì tā de bāobāo.
This is her bag.
我們的
wǒmen de
our
這是我們的計畫。
Zhè shì wǒmen de jìhuà.
This is our plan.
你們的
nǐmen de
your (plural)
你們的座位在那邊。
Nǐmen de zuòwèi zài nàbiān.
Your seats are over there.
他們的
tāmen de
their
這是他們的想法。
Zhè shì tāmen de xiǎngfǎ.
This is their idea.
自己的
zìjǐ de
one’s own
我想要自己的房間。
Wǒ xiǎng yào zìjǐ de fángjiān.
I want my own room.
漂亮的
piàoliang de
pretty (as a modifier)
那是一家漂亮的咖啡店。
Nà shì yì jiā piàoliang de kāfēidiàn.
That’s a pretty café.
重要的
zhòngyào de
important (as a modifier)
今天有重要的會議。
Jīntiān yǒu zhòngyào de huìyì.
There’s an important meeting today.
有名的
yǒumíng de
famous (as a modifier)
那裡有有名的夜市。
Nàlǐ yǒu yǒumíng de yèshì.
There’s a famous night market there.
便宜的
piányi de
cheap (as a modifier)
我想買便宜的票。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi piányi de piào.
I want to buy a cheaper ticket.
貴的
guì de
expensive (as a modifier)
這家店的咖啡比較貴的。
Zhè jiā diàn de kāfēi bǐjiào guì de.
The coffee at this shop is on the expensive side.
乾淨的
gānjìng de
clean (as a modifier)
我想住乾淨的飯店。
Wǒ xiǎng zhù gānjìng de fàndiàn.
I want to stay in a clean hotel.
有趣的
yǒuqù de
interesting (as a modifier)
他講了有趣的故事。
Tā jiǎng le yǒuqù de gùshì.
He told an interesting story.
無聊的
wúliáo de
boring (as a modifier)
這是一部無聊的電影。
Zhè shì yí bù wúliáo de diànyǐng.
This is a boring movie.
新的
xīn de
the new one / new (as modifier)
我想換新的。
Wǒ xiǎng huàn xīn de.
I want to switch to a new one.
舊的
jiù de
the old one / old (as modifier)
這台太舊了，我不要舊的。
Zhè tái tài jiù le, wǒ bú yào jiù de.
This one is too old; I don’t want the old one.
對的
duì de
the correct one / correct
你選的是對的。
Nǐ xuǎn de shì duì de.
You picked the right one.
錯的
cuò de
the wrong one / wrong
這個答案是錯的。
Zhège dá’àn shì cuò de.
This answer is wrong.
真的
zhēn de
real / really (often used like an emphatic “seriously”)
真的嗎？
Zhēn de ma?
Really?

得: degree, result & potential (after a verb)

Traditional ChinesePinyinMeaning (EN)Example (ZH + pinyin)Translation (EN)Audio
說得清楚
shuō de qīngchu
speak clearly
你可以說得清楚一點嗎？
Nǐ kěyǐ shuō de qīngchu yìdiǎn ma?
Can you speak a bit more clearly?
說得快
shuō de kuài
speak fast
他說得太快了。
Tā shuō de tài kuài le.
He speaks too fast.
走得慢
zǒu de màn
walk slowly
今天我走得比較慢。
Jīntiān wǒ zǒu de bǐjiào màn.
Today I’m walking slower than usual.
學得快
xué de kuài
learn quickly
她學得很快。
Tā xué de hěn kuài.
She learns quickly.
學得慢
xué de màn
learn slowly
我學得慢，但我不放棄。
Wǒ xué de màn, dàn wǒ bù fàngqì.
I learn slowly, but I won’t give up.
睡得好
shuì de hǎo
sleep well
昨天我睡得很好。
Zuótiān wǒ shuì de hěn hǎo.
I slept very well yesterday.
睡得不夠
shuì de bú gòu
not sleep enough
我睡得不夠，所以很累。
Wǒ shuì de bú gòu, suǒyǐ hěn lèi.
I didn’t sleep enough, so I’m tired.
吃得飽
chī de bǎo
eat enough / be full
多吃一點，吃得飽才有力氣。
Duō chī yìdiǎn, chī de bǎo cái yǒu lìqì.
Eat a bit more—being full gives you energy.
吃得下
chī de xià
be able to eat (it) / have appetite
太辣了，我吃不下。
Tài là le, wǒ chī bù xià.
It’s too spicy—I can’t eat it / I have no appetite.
吃得完
chī de wán
be able to finish eating
這麼大份，我吃得完嗎？
Zhème dà fèn, wǒ chī de wán ma?
It’s such a big portion—can I finish it?
看得懂
kàn de dǒng
can understand (by reading)
這個菜單我看得懂。
Zhège càidān wǒ kàn de dǒng.
I can understand this menu.
聽得懂
tīng de dǒng
can understand (by listening)
他講得很快，我聽不懂。
Tā jiǎng de hěn kuài, wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
He speaks fast; I can’t understand.
看得見
kàn de jiàn
can see
我看得見那座山。
Wǒ kàn de jiàn nà zuò shān.
I can see that mountain.
聽得見
tīng de jiàn
can hear
你聽得見我說話嗎？
Nǐ tīng de jiàn wǒ shuōhuà ma?
Can you hear me?
來得及
lái de jí
make it in time
現在出門還來得及。
Xiànzài chūmén hái lái de jí.
If we leave now, we can still make it.
來不及
lái bù jí
too late / not in time
糟了，要來不及了！
Zāo le, yào lái bù jí le!
Oh no, we’re going to be late!
買得到
mǎi de dào
can buy (it)
這個口味不一定買得到。
Zhège kǒuwèi bù yídìng mǎi de dào.
You can’t always find/buy this flavor.
買不到
mǎi bú dào
can’t buy (it)
太熱門了，我買不到。
Tài rèmén le, wǒ mǎi bú dào.
It’s too popular—I can’t buy it.
找得到
zhǎo de dào
can find (it)
我覺得你找得到路。
Wǒ juéde nǐ zhǎo de dào lù.
I think you can find the way.
找不到
zhǎo bú dào
can’t find (it)
我找不到我的耳機。
Wǒ zhǎo bú dào wǒ de ěrjī.
I can’t find my earphones.
受得了
shòu de liǎo
can handle it
這麼吵，你受得了嗎？
Zhème chǎo, nǐ shòu de liǎo ma?
It’s so noisy—can you handle it?
受不了
shòu bù liǎo
can’t stand it
太熱了，我受不了。
Tài rè le, wǒ shòu bù liǎo.
It’s too hot—I can’t stand it.
站得住
zhàn de zhù
can stand firmly / holds up
這個理由站得住腳。
Zhège lǐyóu zhàn de zhù jiǎo.
This reason holds up.
站不住
zhàn bú zhù
can’t stand steadily / doesn’t hold up
我頭很暈，快站不住了。
Wǒ tóu hěn yūn, kuài zhàn bú zhù le.
I’m dizzy—I can barely stand.

地: adverbs (before a verb)

Traditional ChinesePinyinMeaning (EN)Example (ZH + pinyin)Translation (EN)Audio
慢慢地
mànmàn de
slowly
請慢慢地念。
Qǐng mànmàn de niàn.
Please read it slowly.
快快地
kuàikuài de
quickly (manner)
他快快地跑回家。
Tā kuàikuài de pǎo huí jiā.
He quickly ran home.
認真地
rènzhēn de
seriously
我會認真地練習。
Wǒ huì rènzhēn de liànxí.
I’ll practice seriously.
輕鬆地
qīngsōng de
easily / relaxedly
他輕鬆地完成了工作。
Tā qīngsōng de wánchéng le gōngzuò.
He finished the work easily.
小心地
xiǎoxīn de
carefully
請小心地拿。
Qǐng xiǎoxīn de ná.
Please hold it carefully.
悄悄地
qiāoqiāo de
quietly
他悄悄地離開了。
Tā qiāoqiāo de líkāi le.
He left quietly.
大聲地
dàshēng de
loudly
請不要大聲地講電話。
Qǐng bú yào dàshēng de jiǎng diànhuà.
Please don’t talk on the phone loudly.
安靜地
ānjìng de
quietly (calmly)
他安靜地坐著。
Tā ānjìng de zuò zhe.
He’s sitting quietly.
仔細地
zǐxì de
carefully (detail-focused)
請仔細地看說明。
Qǐng zǐxì de kàn shuōmíng.
Please read the instructions carefully.
清楚地
qīngchu de
clearly
請清楚地回答。
Qǐng qīngchu de huídá.
Please answer clearly.
簡單地
jiǎndān de
simply
我簡單地說一下。
Wǒ jiǎndān de shuō yíxià.
I’ll explain it briefly.
直接地
zhíjiē de
directly
你可以直接地告訴我。
Nǐ kěyǐ zhíjiē de gàosù wǒ.
You can tell me directly.
禮貌地
lǐmào de
politely
請禮貌地拒絕。
Qǐng lǐmào de jùjué.
Please refuse politely.
友善地
yǒushàn de
kindly / friendly
他友善地跟我打招呼。
Tā yǒushàn de gēn wǒ dǎzhāohū.
He greeted me in a friendly way.
努力地
nǔlì de
hard (努力 = hard-working; with 地 = “work hard” manner)
我會努力地學好中文。
Wǒ huì nǔlì de xué hǎo Zhōngwén.
I’ll work hard to learn Chinese well.
自然地
zìrán de
naturally
多練習就會自然地說出口。
Duō liànxí jiù huì zìrán de shuō chūkǒu.
Practice more and you’ll speak naturally.
突然地
tūrán de
suddenly
他突然地停下來。
Tā tūrán de tíng xiàlái.
He suddenly stopped.
開心地
kāixīn de
happily
她開心地收下禮物。
Tā kāixīn de shōu xià lǐwù.
She happily accepted the gift.
生氣地
shēngqì de
angrily
他生氣地關上門。
Tā shēngqì de guān shàng mén.
He angrily shut the door.

Quick “variants” table: the classic confusion pairs

Same sound, different job. If you remember these pairs, your brain stops mixing them (most days).

PairPinyinWhat it meansMini example (ZH + pinyin)Translation (EN)Audio
快快的腳步 / 快快地走
kuàikuài de jiǎobù / kuàikuài de zǒu
的 + noun (“quick footsteps”) vs 地 + verb (“walk quickly”).
他用快快的腳步，快快地走出車站。
Tā yòng kuàikuài de jiǎobù, kuàikuài de zǒu chū chēzhàn.
With quick footsteps, he walked out of the station quickly.
說得快 / 快快地說
shuō de kuài / kuàikuài de shuō
得 focuses on degree after speaking; 地 focuses on manner before speaking.
他說得快，所以我請他快快地說慢一點。
Tā shuō de kuài, suǒyǐ wǒ qǐng tā kuàikuài de shuō màn yìdiǎn.
He speaks fast, so I asked him to (please) speak more slowly.
我買的咖啡 / 我買得起
wǒ mǎi de kāfēi / wǒ mǎi de qǐ
的 = “the coffee I bought”; 得 = potential (“can afford”).
這杯是我買的咖啡，但那杯太貴，我買不起。
Zhè bēi shì wǒ mǎi de kāfēi, dàn nà bēi tài guì, wǒ mǎi bù qǐ.
This cup is the coffee I bought, but that one is too expensive—I can’t afford it.
Yak Snark (near the end, as promised):

If you mess these up sometimes, congratulations: you are a normal human. Just run the 3-question test: noun → 的, verb (before) → 地, verb (after) → 得. Then act smug about it.

One last tiny win: try writing three short lines today—one with 的, one with 得, one with 地. You’re not “memorizing grammar.” You’re training your eyes to spot what comes next. Tap 🔊 anytime to hear Taiwanese Mandarin (zh-TW) pronunciation.

Keep going. These three “de” particles stop being scary once you stop letting them cosplay as the same word.

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