If you’re learning Chinese and find yourself confused by the three particles 的, 得, and 地, you’re definitely not alone. These three words are among the most frequently misused elements in Chinese grammar, especially for beginners and even intermediate learners. The challenge lies in the fact that all three are pronounced the same — “de” — yet each has a completely different function in a sentence.
So how to distinguish clearly and use correctly? This article will explain how to use 的 得 地 in Chinese so you can start applying it right away.
One pronunciation – Three distinct roles
Although all three are pronounced de, each serves a unique grammatical purpose:
的 is typically used to indicate possession or to describe a characteristic.
得 follows a verb to describe the degree or result of an action.
地 comes before a verb to describe how an action is performed — acting like an adverb.
They may sound the same, but mixing them up leads to incorrect grammar and, at times, unclear or even humorous misunderstandings. Let’s dive into how to use each one correctly.
How to use “的” – To show possession or describe qualities
“的” is the most commonly used among the three and is similar to the possessive “’s” in English or the word “của” in Vietnamese.
Whenever you want to say something like “my mother”, “their house”, or “beautiful dress”, you’ll likely need to use “的”.
Examples:
- 我的妈妈 – my mother
- 他们的房子 – their house
- 漂亮的衣服 – beautiful clothes
- 喜欢唱歌的女孩 – the girl who likes singing
In all of these examples, “的” connects a modifier (such as an adjective or phrase) to the noun it describes. It answers questions like “Whose?” or “What kind of?”
Sometimes, especially in casual speech or when using single-syllable adjectives, “的” may be omitted. For instance, “好人” (good person) is acceptable without “的”. But when using a longer or more complex modifier, keeping “的” is necessary.
How to use “得” – To describe the result or degree of an action
“得” is placed after a verb and is used to express how well or to what extent something is done.
Examples:
- 他说得很快 – He speaks very quickly
- 她唱得很好 – She sings very well
- 我跑得动 – I’m able to run
- 我听得懂中文 – I can understand Chinese
Unlike “的”, which goes before nouns, “得” follows verbs. It connects the verb to a description of its outcome or intensity.
You’ll often see “得” in ability phrases like:
- 吃得下 – able to eat
- 睡得着 – able to fall asleep
You can create the negative form by adding “不”:
- 吃不下 – can’t eat
- 睡不着 – can’t fall asleep
These are super useful in daily conversation!
How to use “地” – To describe how an action is performed
“地” comes after an adjective or descriptive phrase and before a verb to act as an adverb.
Examples:
- 他认真地学习 – He studies seriously
- 她高兴地笑了 – She laughed happily
- 小朋友开心地跳舞 – The child danced happily
Without “地”, the sentence may sound abrupt or unclear. For instance:
❌ 他快乐跑了出去 – This sounds awkward and incomplete
✅ 他快乐地跑了出去 – He ran out happily (clear and smooth)
So whenever you want to describe how someone does something, use “地” to link the adjective to the verb.
Quick way to tell them apart: 的 – 得 – 地
Here’s an easy trick to quickly figure out which one to use based on position in a sentence:
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If “de” appears before a noun, it’s most likely 的.
(e.g. 我的朋友 – my friend) -
If it comes after a verb, and is followed by a description of how well, how fast, or to what degree, then it’s 得.
(e.g. 说得很好 – speak very well) -
If it appears after an adjective and before a verb, it’s 地.
(e.g. 慢慢地走 – walk slowly)
Think of it this way:
- 的 = “Whose?” or “What kind of?”
- 得 = “How was it done?” (after verb)
- 地 = “How is it done?” (before verb)
Let’s combine them into one sentence:
她认真地写得很漂亮的字。
→ She wrote beautiful characters, and did it seriously.
Breakdown:
- “认真地” describes how she wrote → use 地
- “写得很漂亮” describes how well she wrote → use 得
- “漂亮的字” is the beautiful characters she wrote → use 的
Common mistakes learners make
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Mixing up 得 and 的:
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❌ 他说的很好
-
✅ 他说得很好
(“得” is needed after the verb to describe how well he spoke)
-
-
Using 的 instead of 地 before a verb:
-
❌ 他快乐的跑出去
-
✅ 他快乐地跑出去
(“地” is correct because it modifies the verb “run”)
-
-
Using 得 instead of 的 in possession:
-
❌ 他是我得朋友
-
✅ 他是我的朋友
(“的” is correct to show ownership)
-
Mistaking one for the other can make your sentence ungrammatical or confusing to native speakers.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use them interchangeably since they all sound the same?
No. Although they’re all pronounced “de”, each one has a unique grammatical function and cannot be swapped.
2. Are there times when I can omit them?
Yes, in some spoken or poetic Chinese, they may be dropped for brevity. However, in formal writing or clear communication, they should be used properly.
3. If I’m not sure, is there a default?
Not really. Try to identify the structure of the sentence:
- Is it a modifier for a noun? → use 的
- Is it describing how well something is done? → use 得
- Is it describing how someone is doing something? → use 地
With time and practice, it’ll become second nature.
Final thoughts
How to Use 的 得 地 in Chinese? Mastering the correct usage of 的, 得, and 地 will greatly improve both your spoken and written Chinese. It may seem a bit confusing at first, but once you understand their functions and start spotting them in real sentences, it becomes much easier.
The key is practice: read plenty of example sentences, create your own, and try breaking down sentence structures to identify where each “de” belongs. After a while, you won’t even have to think — you’ll just know.