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  <h1>Modifying nouns with adjective + "<span class="pinyinst">de</span>" "<span class="hanzist">的</span>"</h1>

  <p>One of the best ways to use the common character <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>) is to spice up your nouns with adjectives. By using <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>), we can connect sassy adjectives to otherwise boring nouns.</p>

  <h2 id="with-a-noun">With a Noun</h2>

  <h3 id="structure">Structure</h3>

  <p>A very common way to modify nouns is to attach an adjective to them using <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>).</p>

  <div class="deux">
    <p>Adj. + <span class="hanzist">的</span> + Noun</p>
  </div>

  <p>This structure comes up extremely frequently and is an easy way to attribute features to nouns. Occasionally you will see this <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>) omitted, but note that if the adjective has two characters (e.g. <span class="hanzi">漂亮</span> (<span class="pinyin">piàoliang</span>) or <span class="hanzi">高兴</span> (<span class="pinyin">gāoxìng</span>)), the <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>) is generally required.</p>

  <h3 id="examples">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">漂亮 的</span> 女孩儿</span> <br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">piàoliang de</span> nǚháir</span><br/> beautiful girl</li>

      <li><span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">辣 的</span> 菜</span> <br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">là de</span> cài</span> <br/>spicy food</li>

      <li><span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">可爱 的</span> 宝宝</span> <br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">kě'ài de</span> bǎobao</span><br/> a cute baby</li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">我 喜欢 <span class="fondjaune">新鲜 的</span> 果汁 。</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan <span class="fondjaune">xīnxiān de</span> guǒzhī.</span><br/>I like fresh fruit juice.</li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">他 常常 买 <span class="fondjaune">便宜 的</span> 东西。</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Tā chángcháng mǎi <span class="fondjaune">piányi de</span> dōngxi.</span> <br/>He often buys cheap stuff.</li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="without-a-noun">Without a Noun</h2>

  <h3 id="structure-1">Structure</h3>

  <p>In some cases, it is possible to drop the noun from the pattern, and just use the adjective + <span class="hanzi">的 </span> <span class="pinyin">de</span>). This is kind of like saying "<b>the big one</b>" or "<b>the red one</b>" in English. In Chinese the <span class="hanzi">的</span> (<span class="pinyin">de</span>) serves the same purpose as the English word "<b>one</b>." By using this pattern, you can avoid repeating the same noun over and over again unnecessarily. Just be sure the other person is already clear which "one" you're referring to when using this pattern!</p>

  <div class="deux">
    <p>Adj. + <span class="hanzist">的</span></p>
  </div>

  <h3 id="examples-1">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <span class="hanzi">孩子 喜欢 吃 什么 东西 ？</span><br/><span class="pinyin">Háizi xǐhuan chī shénme dōngxi?</span> <br/>What food do children like to eat?</li>

      <li><span class="speaker">B: </span> <span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">甜 的</span> 。</span> <br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">Tián de</span>.</span> <br/>Sweet food.</li>
    </ul>

    <ul>
      <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <span class="hanzi">你 喜欢 哪 种 女孩？</span><br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan nǎ zhǒng nǚhái?</span> <br/>What kind of girls do you like?</li>

      <li><span class="speaker">B: </span> <span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">漂亮 的</span>。</span> <br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">Piàoliang de</span>.</span> <br/>Pretty ones.</li>
    </ul>

    <ul>
      <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <span class="hanzi">你 要 喝 冷 水 还是 热 水？</span><br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan hē lěng shuǐ háishì rè shuǐ ?</span> <br/>Do you want to drink cold or hot water?</li>

      <li><span class="speaker">B:</span><span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">冷 的</span>。</span><br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">Lěng de</span>.</span> <br/>Cold.</li>
    </ul>

    <ul>
      <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <span class="hanzi">你想 找 什么样 的 男朋友？</span><br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng zhǎo shénmeyàng de nánpéngyou?</span> <br/>What kind of boyfriend do you want to find?</li>

      <li><span class="speaker">B: </span> <span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">有钱 的</span>。</span><br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">Yǒuqián de</span>.</span> <br/>A rich one.</li>
    </ul>

    <ul>
      <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <span class="hanzi">你 不 喜欢 吃 什么 菜？</span><br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ bù xǐhuan chī shénme cài?</span> <br/>Which foods do you not like to eat?</li>

      <li><span class="speaker">B: </span> <span class="hanzi"><span class="fondjaune">辣 的</span>。</span><br/><span class="pinyin"><span class="fondjaune">Là de</span>.</span> <br/>Spicy ones.</li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>

  <ul>
    <li><a href="Modifying_nouns_with_phrase_+_de" title="wikilink">Modifying nouns with phrase + de</a></li>

    <li><a href="Expressing_possession" title="wikilink">Expressing possession</a></li>
  </ul>

  <h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2>

  <h3 id="books">Books</h3>

  <ul>
    <li>Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 70-1)</li>

    <li>Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 37)</li>

    <li>Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 191, 233)</li>

    <li>Yufa! (pp. 37)</li>
  </ul>
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