How to use 的 in Chinese?

Question

I'm recently studying the most frequently used Chinese characters list, and 的 is the #1 in the list, which means it is the MOST USED character in Chinese! So my question is how to use 的 in Chinese? Thanks!

Alfz · Answer

It is difficult to explain if you don't have any chinese grammar helping you. This particle 的 (de) is used to make the genitive of nouns (Tania's cat, John's key and so on) and also has some special functions like making relative clauses (The book WHICH is on the table). You should really get a chinese grammar though.

Panda · Answer

1. Adjective + 的 + noun: 
    In English, to describe a noun, we use adjectives. In chinese the usage is similar. However, a '的' is needed after the adjective.
    Examples:
    漂亮的画: Beautiful painting(s).  漂亮(piāo liàng):beutiful  画(huà):painting/picture
    红色的气球: Red balloon.   红色(hóng sè):red  气球(qì qiú):balloon
2. possessive relation
    In English, we use ('s) or (of) to descirbe possessive relations. For example, somebody's something, something of somebody.
    In Chinese, we use 的 as the same function of ('s) or (of).
    中国人的生活: Chinese people's lives. Lives of Chinese people. 中国人:Chinese 生活:life
    我的丈夫: My husband. The husband of mine. 丈夫:husband
    警察的大屌: Police officer's giant penis. ���察: police officer 屌:penis

3. Job + 的: descibe the people doing the job.
    卖书的: book seller
    教书的: teacher
    开车的: driver

How to use 的 in Chinese?

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