IGCSE 0547

Difference between 'de'

的 得 地
for modifying
for modifying
for modifying

nouns verbs adjectives (into

adverbs)
 的
IGCSE 0547

Used as a noun modifier, “ 的 (de)” is most

commonly used to indicate possession,
such as the “’s” in English. As previously
POSSESSIVE “ ” 的 mentioned, “Sara’s house” would be " 莎拉
Noun + 的 + Noun 的房子 (Shā lā de fáng zi).”
ATTRIBUTIVE “ ”的 “的 (de)” is also used in noun attribution,
Adjective +的 + Noun where it is placed between an adjective
and a noun. For example:
红色的自行车
" (Hóng sè de zì xíng chē)."
The red bike.
 得
IGCSE 0547

This “de” is usually placed after verbs in

order to signify the outcome of that verb

or to modify it. An example of how 得 (de)

S+V+ 得 + Adjective can be used is:

他唱得很好 (Tā chàng dé hěn hǎo).
He sang very well.
得
Note the (de) came after the verb
 地
IGCSE 0547

This “de” particle is usually placed after adjectives in order to

transform them into adverbs. It is most like the suffix “–ly” in

English. An example is:

他快快地跑过来 (Tā kuài kuài dì pǎo guò lái).
He quickly ran over.
Tip: When adjectives are transformed into adverbs with “de” in

Adjective + 地 + Verb Chinese, they are often repeated twice.

when it’s attached to 地 it becomes “
快
快快地
(Kuài) is “quick”, but

(Kuài kuài dì)” ,“Quick

quick-ly.” Many adjectives do this in Chinese for emphasis

purposes.
When 地 (de) is not used as a particle, it is read “dì” and used to

mean “ground” or “earth.” For example, 土地 (tǔ dì) is “dirt.”

 不VS没
IGCSE 0547

不
不 (bù) is used to negate an action that you do

not intend to do.

没
没 (méi) is used to deny actions that occurred in

the past, to say something has not happened yet

Examples:
我知道这个周末不下雨。(I know it won’t rain this
and to indicate something has not been

experienced
weekend.)
我不吃肉。("I don’t eat meat" indicating that the
Examples:
他昨天没打电话给我。
person doesn't eat meat) /If 没 is used here is

(He didn’t call me yesterday)

妈妈没做晚饭。 (Mom didn’t cook dinner)
meaning will be "I didn't eat meat" which

indicates that the person wants to eat/

我没吃过中国菜。 (I have never eaten Chinese food)
 小时, 时候, 点
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小时 点 shows

时候 is

is used

when you spent

some amount of

time on doing
transleted
an exact

something.

Usually
into "When". time such

transletes into
as 3 o'clock.
"for"
 小时, 时候, 点
IGCSE 0547

小时 example: 时候 example: 点 example:

我打了两个小时的
乒乓球。

我小时候经常打乒乓球。

我三点打了乒乓球。
I played table
I used to play table
I played table

tennis for 3
tennis when I was

hours. tennis at 3 o

young. clock
IGCSE 0547

小时 - time spent
V+ 小时 + O
 ！
IGCSE 0547

Remember
二
“ ” (èr) is used generally when counting in numbers

(one, two, three,…), or performing mathematical

functions.
However, when you want to say “two of” something,
两
(liǎng) is used in front of measure words to express a

quantity. This is similar in English to saying “a pair” of

something, but it is used in Chinese to express having

“two of” almost anything, for example:

两个小时 (liǎng gè xiǎo shí) two hours;
两天 (liǎng tiān) two days;
两个星期 (liǎng gè xīng qī) two weeks;
两个月 (liǎng gè yuè) two months.
IGCSE 0547

Question
If the question is started with多长时间 ,
you need to answer with spent time.
你学汉语多长时间了？
我学了两年的汉语。
When you want to answer without
using time, you don't need to use 小时 .
小时
Instead of using , put the time after
the verb such as:
我学了 两年 的汉语。
+ +