What's the difference between 的 (de), 地 (de), and 得 (de) in Chinese?

In Chinese, 的 (de), 地 (de), and 得 (de) are particles that serve different grammatical functions. They are used to modify nouns, verbs, and adjectives respectively. Here’s how to use each one correctly with examples:

的 (de)

Usage: 的 is used to connect a noun with its modifier, which can be an adjective, noun, or possessive pronoun.

1. Adjective + 的 + Noun:

- 美丽的花 (měilì de huā) — beautiful flower

- 蓝色的天空 (lánsè de tiānkōng) — blue sky

2. Noun + 的 + Noun (Possessive):

- 我的书 (wǒ de shū) — my book

- 老师的房间 (lǎoshī de fángjiān) — teacher's room

3. Phrase + 的 + Noun:

- 我喜欢的电影 (wǒ xǐhuān de diànyǐng) — the movie I like

- 他做的菜 (tā zuò de cài) — the dish he made

地 (de)

Usage: 地 is used to connect an adverb to a verb, indicating how an action is performed.

1. Adverb + 地 + Verb:

- 快速地跑 (kuàisù de pǎo) — run quickly

- 认真地学习 (rènzhēn de xuéxí) — study seriously

2. Adjective + 地 + Verb (when the adjective functions as an adverb):

- 大声地说 (dàshēng de shuō) — speak loudly

- 开心地笑 (kāixīn de xiào) — laugh happily

得 (de)

Usage: 得 is used after a verb or adjective to introduce a complement of degree, result, or possibility.

1. Verb + 得 + Adjective/Complement:

- 跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) — run fast

- 做得好 (zuò de hǎo) — do well

2. Adjective + 得 + Complement:

- 高兴得跳起来 (gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái) — so happy that [someone] jumps up

- 累得睡着了 (lèi de shuìzháo le) — so tired that [someone] fell asleep

Examples for Clarification

1. 的:

- 他的车很大。(Tā de chē hěn dà.) — His car is big.

- 我喜欢的歌。(Wǒ xǐhuān de gē.) — The song I like.

2. 地:

- 他慢慢地走。(Tā mànmàn de zǒu.) — He walks slowly.

- 她高兴地唱歌。(Tā gāoxìng de chànggē.) — She sings happily.

3. 得:

- 他跑得很快。(Tā pǎo de hěn kuài.) — He runs very fast.

- 她做得很好。(Tā zuò de hěn hǎo.) — She did it very well.

Summary

- 的 (de): Connects a noun with its modifier (adjective, noun, or possessive pronoun).

- Example: 漂亮的房子 (piàoliang de fángzi) — beautiful house

- 地 (de): Connects an adverb to a verb.

- Example: 认真地工作 (rènzhēn de gōngzuò) — work diligently

- 得 (de): Used after a verb or adjective to introduce a complement of degree, result, or possibility.

- Example: 唱得很好 (chàng de hěn hǎo) — sing well

Would you like more examples or further explanation on any of these particles?