What is the difference between 的 and 得 and 地?
All three are pronounced de. 的 links a description to a noun: 我的书, 漂亮的衣服. 地 turns a description into a way of doing, before a verb: 慢慢地走, 高兴地说. 得 comes after a verb or adjective and introduces how well or how much: 跑得很快, 说得不错, 累得不想动. A quick test: noun after it → 的; verb after it → 地; verb before it → 得.
| 的 | description + noun: 红色的车, 妈妈做的菜 |
|---|---|
| 地 | manner + verb: 认真地学习, 慢慢地说 |
| 得 | verb + degree or result: 写得很好, 忙得没时间吃饭 |
的 de
From the readings on this site
- 我爱我的家。I love my family.HSK 1 · 我的家
- 我爱我的小房间。I love my little room.HSK 1 · 我的房间
- 我很爱我的学校。I love my school very much.HSK 1 · 我的学校
得 de
From the readings on this site
- 菜来得很快，鱼非常好吃。The food came quickly, and the fish was really delicious.HSK 2 · 点菜
- 路上车很多，我们开得很慢。There were a lot of cars on the road, so we drove very slowly.HSK 2 · 去机场
- 但是我学得很累，非常想睡觉。But all this studying has worn me out — I really want to sleep.HSK 2 · 准备考试
地 de
From the readings on this site
- 全场的人都非常兴奋，大声地叫。The whole stadium was extremely excited, shouting loudly.HSK 3 · 有趣的比赛
- 我一边看手机，一边紧张地等着。I looked at my phone while nervously waiting.HSK 3 · 成绩出来了
- 她高兴地谢了我好几次，我心里也很高兴。She thanked me happily several times, and I felt happy in my heart too.HSK 3 · 第一次做志愿者
Practice: fill in the blank
Each sentence is from a reading on this site. Which word goes in the gap?
- 今天是妈妈___生日。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
的 — Today is Mom's birthday.
- 我爱我___家。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
的 — I love my family.
- 菜来___很快，鱼非常好吃。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
得 — The food came quickly, and the fish was really delicious.
- 路上车很多，我们开___很慢。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
得 — There were a lot of cars on the road, so we drove very slowly.
- 我一边看手机，一边紧张___等着。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
地 — I looked at my phone while nervously waiting.
- 我有点儿紧张，但是我认真___回答了每个问题。的 / 得 / 地
Answer
地 — I was a little nervous, but I answered every question carefully.