的-地-得, when do you use which?

Question

So the age old question of 的-地-得, when do you use which? When spoken, it all sounds the same, but on paper it depends on if it's a verb, noun, adjective. But I don't quite remember if that is all that matters or which applies to which.

Can someone refresh my memory?

Answer 1

“的”字用于定语和中心语之间。如：“我的书”。由于定语的中心语通常是名词，可以认为“的”一般在名字之前。

“地”字用于状语和中心语之间。如：“认真地阅读”。由于状语的中心语通常是动词，可以认为“地”一般在动词之前。

“得”字用于中心语和补语之间。如：“读得很认真”。由于补语的中心语通常是动词，可以认为“得”一般在动词之后。

另外，汉语的一般语序是：定语+主语+状语+谓语+补语+定语+宾语。

Answer 2

In fact, I dont think you need to distinguish 的 地 or 得 from others, because even as native speakers, we spend much time learning them. Also, we (even many tv programs）often use 的 instead of 地 and 得 since its convenient although its considered as a bad, even wrong way.

Answer 3

It's easy to distinguish them.

• Before a noun, like 家, we use 的, 我的家.
• Before a verb, like 学习, we use 地, 好好地学习.
• Before a adj or adv, like 快, we use 得, 跑得快.

Answer 4

的 is always followed by a noun, 地 appears after adverbs, and 得 is used after verbs.

• 你的苹果 your apple
• 快乐地唱 sing delightfully
• 跑得很快 run very fast

Answer 5

The usage of “的” is in possessive or adjectival context. E.g., (posessive) “我的狗”, or (adjectival) “真正的生意人”. Generally a noun is modified, so a noun follows it, unless it doesn't, such as “有点儿不足是难免的”, (some insufficiency is unavoidable) which is still an adjectival modifier (unavoidable), even though it modifies the noun (insufficiency) in front of it.

“地” is used usually as an adverbial modifier, following the modifier and preceding the verb. For example, in “她伤心地说” (she said sadly).

The last one, “得”, is distinct, because it's a potential complement, not a modifier. It follows a verb to show the result. So the structure is VERB + 得 + RESULT. One of the things I found confusing about this, coming from English, is that it leads to some structures that have bit of repetition. So to say "she speaks Chinese very well", you use something like "she speaks Chinese, speaks very well", i.e., “她说中文说得很好”.

Since both “得” and “地” come between a verb and something else, they can be easy to confuse. But just remember that if "de" functions as an adverb, the verb comes after it and “地” is appropriate, but if you are trying to complement or completes the verb that precedes it, then use “得”, even in weird cases like “好得很”!

For short, just remember: “地” usually appears before the verb while “得” appears after the verb. eg. “这件事漂亮地完成了。” and “这件事完成得漂亮。” these two sentences are correct in grammar, although they have slight differences in emotion.

Answer 6

Here's a trick my Chinese teacher told me (and it rhymes!):

动前“土”，名前“白”，动形中间“双人”来。

Use 地 (土字旁) before verbs, 的 (白字旁) after nouns, and 得 (双人旁) between a noun and an adjective/adverb.

Example:

可爱的小妹妹正在快乐地拍皮球，笑得像花儿一样。

You can practice here.

Advanced 的得地 speakers are very welcome to take this challenge.

Hope this helps!