Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 得 (de) to describe the quality or result of an action by placing it after the verb.
- Structure: Verb + 得 + Adjective/Phrase (e.g., {跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài} - runs fast).
- Negation: Use 不 (bù) after 得 (e.g., {跑|pǎo}得不{快|kuài} - does not run fast).
- Question: Use A-not-A or 吗 (e.g., {跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}不{快|kuài}？ - does he run fast?).
Overview
得 (de). Unlike English, where adverbs typically precede or follow verbs directly (e.g., he runs fast), Chinese utilizes 得 to form a descriptive complement. This particle acts as a bridge, connecting a verb to a subsequent description that evaluates or elaborates on the action.得 is fundamental at the A2 level because it allows you to move beyond simple statements and express nuanced observations about how actions are performed. Without 得, you lack the grammatical tool to articulate qualities like speed, skill, or emotional impact directly tied to a verb. For instance, stating 他跑快 (tā pǎo kuài) is grammatically incomplete and sounds unnatural, lacking the complement necessary to fully describe the *way* he runs.他跑得很快 (tā pǎo de hěn kuài), precisely conveys he runs very fast,making the sentence both grammatically sound and descriptively rich.
How This Grammar Works
得 (de) is to introduce a complement that describes or evaluates the preceding verb. This complement can express the manner in which an action is carried out, the degree to which it occurs, or the result it produces. The essential rule is that 得 must immediately follow the verb it describes.得 + Complement. The complement itself is typically an adjective or an adverbial phrase.她写字写得很好 (tā xiězì xiě de hěn hǎo, She writes characters very well),
得 links the verb 写 (xiě) to the complement 很好 (hěn hǎo), indicating the high quality of her writing. This structure is pervasive in daily conversation, enabling you to comment on everything from a friend's singing to a chef's cooking. It allows you to specify *how* an action unfolds, adding a crucial layer of detail to your communication.
Formation Pattern
得 (de) varies primarily based on whether the verb takes an object. Understanding these patterns is key to constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding sentences.
得 follows the verb immediately, succeeded by the descriptive complement.
得 + Complement
他跑得很快 (tā pǎo de hěn kuài). He runs very fast.
她笑得很开心 (tā xiào de hěn kāixīn). She laughs very happily.
孩子睡得香 (háizi shuì de xiāng). The child sleeps soundly.
object sandwich issue arises. Because 得 must attach directly to the verb it modifies, an intervening object complicates the structure. There are primarily two ways to handle this:
得 and its complement, describing *how* that action is performed.
得 + Complement
得 directly modifies the action verb, maintaining the integrity of the verb-complement relationship. The initial Verb + Object clarifies the specific action and its target.
他说中文说得很好 (tā shuō Zhōngwén shuō de hěn hǎo). He speaks Chinese very well.
我写字写得很快 (wǒ xiězì xiě de hěn kuài). I write characters very quickly.
她唱歌唱得特别棒 (tā chànggē chàng de tèbié bàng). She sings exceptionally well.
Subject + Verb + 得 + Complement pattern, as the object no longer intervenes between the verb and 得.
得 + Complement
As for X, Subject verbs it Y-ly.
中文他说得很好 (Zhōngwén tā shuō de hěn hǎo). As for Chinese, he speaks it very well.
这首歌她唱得真感人 (zhè shǒu gē tā chàng de zhēn gǎnrén). This song, she sings it truly movingly.
今天的考试我考得不好 (jīntiān de kǎoshì wǒ kǎo de bù hǎo). Today's exam, I didn't do well on it.
不 (bù) is placed immediately before the adjective or adverbial phrase in the complement, *after* 得.
得 + 不 + Complement
他跑得不快 (tā pǎo de bù kuài). He doesn't run fast.
她说中文说得不好 (tā shuō Zhōngwén shuō de bù hǎo). She doesn't speak Chinese well.
他做饭做得不怎么样 (tā zuòfàn zuò de bù zěnmeyàng). He doesn't cook very well (or, his cooking is not good).
When To Use It
得 (de) to provide an evaluation or description of an action *after* it has occurred or is occurring. This particle is essential for conveying nuanced information about how something is done, rather than just stating that it was done.- Describing the Manner of an Action: When you want to explain *how* an action is performed,
得is the particle to use. This is its most straightforward application. 她画画画得真漂亮(tā huàhuà huà de zhēn piàoliang). She paints truly beautifully.他们玩得很高兴(tāmen wán de hěn gāoxìng). They played very happily.- Expressing the Degree of an Action:
得can also indicate the extent or degree to which an action has reached a certain state. This often involves complements like很,非常,太, or even more elaborate phrases. 他累得不想说话(tā lèi de bù xiǎng shuōhuà). He was so tired he didn't want to speak.风吹得树叶哗哗响(fēng chuī de shùyè huāhuā xiǎng). The wind blew so hard the leaves rustled noisily.- Indicating the Result of an Action: While Chinese also has resultative complements,
得can be used to describe a result, particularly when emphasizing the *degree* or *manner* that led to that result. 她气得脸都红了(tā qì de liǎn dōu hóng le). She was so angry that her face turned red.他笑得肚子疼(tā xiào de dùzi téng). He laughed so hard his stomach hurt.- Evaluating Performance or Skill: This construction is commonly used to comment on someone's abilities or how well they perform a task.
你中文说得越来越好了(nǐ Zhōngwén shuō de yuè lái yuè hǎo le). Your Chinese is getting better and better.这个菜做得真好吃(zhège cài zuò de zhēn hào chī). This dish is cooked really deliciously.
得 is your primary grammatical tool. It provides a means to assess and elaborate on the quality of an action.
When Not To Use It
得 (de) is versatile, there are specific contexts where its use is grammatically incorrect or stylistically inappropriate. Understanding these limitations is crucial for accurate expression.- When Describing the Subject's State/Quality (without an action): If you are simply describing the quality of a person or thing, and no verb of action is involved,
得is not used. Instead, you would use很 (hěn)or other adjectives. - Incorrect:
他得快(Incorrect, as there's no verb for快to describe). - Correct:
他很快(tā hěn kuài). He is fast. (Describing his inherent quality, not how he performs an action). - Incorrect:
这本书得好. - Correct:
这本书很好(zhè běn shū hěn hǎo). This book is good. - When Using
地 (de)for Adverbial Modification: If you intend to describe the *manner* in which an action is performed *before* the verb, you should use地and not得.地modifies the verb itself, often conveying how the action is initiated or carried out, while得comments on the *outcome* or *quality* of the action. - Incorrect:
他快得跑. - Correct:
他快快地跑(tā kuài kuài de pǎo). He runs quickly (focus on the manner of running). - With Certain Resultative Complements: Chinese has a rich system of resultative complements that often directly follow a verb without
得. These typically indicate a completed action and its direct result without an additional evaluative layer. 他吃饱了(tā chī bǎo le). He ate until full. (Here,饱is a direct resultative complement).- While
他吃得饱(tā chī de bǎo) is also possible, it implies "he eats until he's full *every time*" or emphasizes the *capability* or *manner* of eating to fullness, rather than just the event itself. At A2, focus on the direct resultative complement without得for simple results. - When
得is used as a modal verb (děi) or verb (dé): The character得has multiple pronunciations and meanings. When it meansmust(děi) orto get/obtain(dé), it functions as a different part of speech and should not be confused with the structural particlede. 你得去(nǐ děi qù). You must go. (Here,得is pronouncedděiand meansmust). This is distinctly different from the descriptive complement structure.
得 (de) for situations where you are actively describing or evaluating the quality, degree, or result of an action that has been performed by a verb. For simple states, pre-verbal adverbial modification, or direct resultatives, other grammatical patterns are required.
Common Mistakes
得 (de). Recognizing and understanding the underlying reasons for these errors will significantly improve your accuracy.- The
Object SandwichError: This is by far the most common mistake. Learners often place the object *between* the verb and得, which violates the fundamental rule that得must immediately follow the verb it modifies. - Incorrect:
我学汉语得很好(wǒ xué Hànyǔ de hěn hǎo). - Why it's wrong:
汉语(Hànyǔ, Chinese language) is an object, interrupting theVerb + 得sequence.得cannot directly modify汉语; it must modify学(xué, to learn). - Correct:
我学汉语学得很好(wǒ xué Hànyǔ xué de hěn hǎo). (Verb repetition). - Correct:
汉语我学得很好(Hànyǔ wǒ xué de hěn hǎo). (Object topicalization). - Confusing
得with很 (hěn): Another frequent error is using得when simply describing a noun or subject's attribute, without an action verb.得is a complement *marker* for verbs;很is a degree adverb for adjectives. - Incorrect:
这个手机得快(referring to the phone being fast). - Why it's wrong:
快(kuài, fast) here describes the phone directly, not an action performed by it. There's no verb for得to follow. - Correct:
这个手机很快(zhège shǒujī hěn kuài). This phone is fast. - Incorrect Placement of Negation
不 (bù): Learners sometimes place不before得, attempting to negate the action itself, rather than the description of the action. - Incorrect:
他不得快跑. - Why it's wrong:
不negates the complement, not the link between the verb and the complement.得still functions as the structural particle. - Correct:
他跑得不快(tā pǎo de bù kuài). He doesn't run fast. - Using
得for Every Adverbial Idea: Not every adverbial expression requires得. If the adverb describes the *manner before the verb*,地 (de)is typically used. If the result is directly expressed by a simple resultative complement,得might not be necessary. 他很快地走进来(tā hěn kuài de zǒu jìnlái). He quickly walked in. (Focus on *how* he entered).- This differs from
他走得很快(tā zǒu de hěn kuài), which evaluates the *quality* of his walking.
得 is a structural particle specific to modifying verbs with descriptive complements. Its position and function are precise and should not be interchanged with other adverbial or adjectival structures.Common Collocations
得 (de), forming natural and idiomatic constructions. Incorporating these into your vocabulary will make your Chinese sound more authentic and fluent. These examples also demonstrate the versatility of 得 in different social contexts, from casual compliments to expressing daily struggles.说得对(shuō de duì):Well saidorWhat you said is correct.
Used to agree with someone or affirm their statement.你说的很对，我们应该这样做。(nǐ shuō de hěn duì, wǒmen yīnggāi zhèyàng zuò). What you said is very right, we should do it this way.做得好/干得漂亮(zuò de hǎo/gàn de piàoliang):Well doneorGood job!干得漂亮often carries a slightly more emphatic, almost congratulatory tone.这个项目你做得真棒！(zhège xiàngmù nǐ zuò de zhēn bàng!). You did this project really wonderfully!跑得快(pǎo de kuài):Runs fast.A common way to describe speed in running.他跑得比我快多了。(tā pǎo de bǐ wǒ kuài duō le). He runs much faster than me.睡得香(shuì de xiāng):Sleeps soundly/well.香(fragrant) metaphorically describes a pleasant, deep sleep.宝宝睡得好香啊！(bǎobǎo shuì de hǎo xiāng a!). The baby is sleeping so soundly!玩得开心(wán de kāixīn):Had funorPlayed happily.Often used to express enjoyment after an activity.希望你玩得开心！(xīwàng nǐ wán de kāixīn!). Hope you have fun!过得怎么样？(guò de zěnmeyàng):How are things going?
A conversational opener, asking about someone's recent experiences or well-being.最近你过得怎么样？(zuìjìn nǐ guò de zěnmeyàng?). How have you been recently?忙得不可开交(máng de bù kě kāijiāo):Extremely busyorToo busy to cope.
This uses a more complex phrase as the complement, illustrating得's ability to introduce descriptive clauses indicating degree.期末考试周，我忙得不可开交。(qīmò kǎoshì zhōu, wǒ máng de bù kě kāijiāo). During final exam week, I'm extremely busy.气得说不出话来(qì de shuō bu chū huà lái): "So angry that one couldn't speak." A vivid expression of extreme anger, demonstrating how得can connect an emotion (implied action) to its profound physical result.他被气得说不出话来。(tā bèi qì de shuō bu chū huà lái). He was so angry he couldn't speak.
得's function in painting a full picture of an action, from its subjective quality to its objective results, reflecting real-world usage beyond basic grammatical rules.Contrast With Similar Patterns
de in the neutral tone, but written with distinct characters: 的 (de), 地 (de), and 得 (de). This trio is a common source of confusion for learners. While they sound identical, their grammatical functions are fundamentally different.的 (de): The Attributive Particle- Function:
的links an attribute (adjective, possessive, descriptive phrase) to a noun. It functions similarly to English possessive 's or the relationship between an adjective and a noun. - Position: Always precedes the noun it modifies.
- Usage: It marks possession, describes a characteristic, or indicates a category.
- Examples:
我的书(wǒ de shū): My book (possessive).红色的车(hóngsè de chē): Red car (describes a characteristic).唱歌的人(chànggē de rén): The person who is singing (descriptive phrase modifying a noun).
地 (de): The Adverbial Particle- Function:
地links an adverbial modifier (adjective or adverbial phrase) to a verb, describing the *manner* in which an action is performed. It's often compared to the English suffix «-ly.» - Position: Always precedes the verb it modifies.
- Usage: It focuses on *how* an action is carried out, emphasizing the style or approach of the verb.
- Examples:
慢慢地走(mànmàn de zǒu): Walk slowly.高兴地跳舞(gāoxìng de tiàowǔ): Dance happily.认真地学习(rènzhēn de xuéxí): Study diligently.
得 (de): The Complement Particle- Function:
得links a verb to its descriptive complement, describing the *result, degree, or manner* of the action *after* it has been performed. - Position: Always follows the verb it modifies.
- Usage: It evaluates the outcome, quality, or extent of the verb's action.
- Examples:
他跑得很快(tā pǎo de hěn kuài): He runs very fast (describes the quality/speed of his running).她学得很好(tā xué de hěn hǎo): She learns very well (evaluates her learning ability/outcome).他们玩得非常开心(tāmen wán de fēicháng kāixīn): They had a lot of fun playing (describes the degree of happiness from playing).
的, 地, 得:Pinyin) | Example (English) |的 | de | Links attribute to noun (possessive, descriptive) | Before noun | *What kind* of noun / *Whose* noun | 漂亮的花 (piàoliang de huā) | Beautiful flower |地 | de | Links adverbial to verb (manner) | Before verb | *How* an action is performed | 安静地看书 (ānjìng de kànshū) | Read quietly |得 | de | Links verb to descriptive complement (result, degree, manner) | After verb | *How well* / *To what extent* an action is performed | 写得好 (xiě de hǎo) | Writes well |de, their written forms and grammatical slots are rigidly defined, ensuring clarity in written communication and precise meaning in both speech and text. Native speakers generally distinguish them subconsciously in writing, but for learners, a conscious understanding of their grammatical domains is indispensable.Quick FAQ
得 (de) can help clarify nuances and resolve persistent confusions that arise during learning.- Q: Do I always have to repeat the verb if there's an object?
While verb repetition (Subject + Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + Complement) is the most common and safest method, it is not always strictly mandatory. If the object is very clear from context or has been previously mentioned, the first verb with the object can sometimes be omitted in informal speech. However, for clarity and grammatical correctness at the A2 level, and in formal contexts, repeating the verb or topicalizing the object is highly recommended. For instance, after someone asks 你中文说得怎么样？ (nǐ Zhōngwén shuō de zěnmeyàng?, How do you speak Chinese?), you might simply reply 说得很好 (shuō de hěn hǎo, Speak it very well) without repeating 中文.
- Q: Can
得be used with negative descriptions?
Absolutely. To form a negative description, you place 不 (bù) directly before the adjective or adverbial phrase in the complement, not before 得. For example, 她唱得不好 (tā chàng de bù hǎo, She doesn't sing well), or 他跑得不快 (tā pǎo de bù kuài, He doesn't run fast). This structure clearly negates the *quality* of the action.
- Q: Is the structural particle
得(de) formal or informal?
The structural particle 得 is grammatically neutral; it is neither inherently formal nor informal. It is a fundamental part of Chinese grammar and is used across all registers, from casual conversations and social media to academic writing and formal speeches. Its presence is dictated by the need to describe or evaluate a verb's action, not by the level of formality.
- Q: What about the other pronunciations of
得(děi,dé)?
The character 得 is polyphonic, meaning it has multiple pronunciations with different meanings. As the structural particle, it is always pronounced de (neutral tone). However, it can also be pronounced:
děi: Meaningmustorhave to,functioning as a modal verb. E.g.,你得去图书馆(nǐ děi qù túshūguǎn, You must go to the library).dé: Meaningto get,to obtain,to receive,orto succeed.E.g.,得到(dé dào, to get/obtain),得奖(dé jiǎng, to win a prize). It is crucial to distinguish these meanings and pronunciations from the structural particlede.
- Q: Can I use entire phrases or clauses as the complement after
得?
Yes, the complement introduced by 得 can be more complex than a single adjective or adverb. It can be an adverbial phrase or even a short clause, especially when describing a result or a degree so extreme it leads to another action.
他高兴得跳起来了(tā gāoxìng de tiào qǐlái le). He was so happy that he jumped up (a phrase describing the result).我饿得肚子咕咕叫(wǒ è de dùzi gūgū jiào). I was so hungry that my stomach rumbled (a clause describing the result).
得's capacity to build highly descriptive and complex sentences, though at A2, focusing on simpler adjective/adverb complements is typically sufficient.Formation of Descriptive Complements
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 得 + Adj
|
{跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 得 + 不 + Adj
|
{跑|pǎo}得不{快|kuài}
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 得 + Adj + 不 + Adj
|
{跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}不{快|kuài}
|
|
Object (Simple)
|
Verb + Object + Verb + 得 + Adj
|
{说|shuō}{汉|hàn}{语|yǔ}{说|shuō}得{好|hǎo}
|
|
Object (Short)
|
Verb + 得 + Adj (if object is implied)
|
{说|shuō}得{好|hǎo}
|
|
Degree
|
Verb + 得 + 很/非常 + Adj
|
{跑|pǎo}得{很|hěn}{快|kuài}
|
Meanings
The particle 得 (de) links a verb to a descriptive phrase that explains the quality, degree, or result of that action.
Descriptive State
Describing the manner in which an action is performed.
“{她|tā}{唱|chàng}得{很|hěn}{漂|piào}{亮|liàng}。”
“{他|tā}{写|xiě}{字|zì}得{很|hěn}{慢|màn}。”
Reference Table
| 结构 | 中文例句 | 拼音 | 英文翻译 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
动词 + 得 + 形容词
|
{跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}
|
pǎo de kuài
|
Runs fast
|
|
动词 + 宾语 + 动词 + 得 + 形容词
|
{说|shuō}{中文|Zhōngwén}{说|shuō}得{好|hǎo}
|
shuō Zhōngwén shuō de hǎo
|
Speaks Chinese well
|
|
否定形式
|
{做|zuò}得{不|bù}{好|hǎo}
|
zuò de bù hǎo
|
Does (it) poorly
|
|
提问
|
{考|kǎo}得{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？
|
kǎo de zěnmeyàng?
|
How did the exam go?
|
|
强调
|
{干|gàn}得{漂亮|piàoliang}
|
gàn de piàoliang
|
Great job (done beautifully)
|
|
程度/结果
|
{累|lèi}得{要命|yàomìng}
|
lèi de yàomìng
|
Exhausted to death
|
正式程度
他奔跑的速度很快。 (Describing speed)
他跑得很快。 (Describing speed)
他跑得飞快！ (Describing speed)
他跑得跟兔子一样快。 (Describing speed)
“得” (de) 的魔力
动作质量
- {跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài} Runs fast
程度/范围
- {累|lèi}得{要命|yàomìng} Tired to death
结果
- {哭|kū}得{很|hěn}{伤心|shāngxīn} Cried sadly
“的、地、得”三兄弟
这里有宾语吗？
句子中有宾语吗（如“中文”、“足球”）？
你想强调宾语吗？
常用“动词 + 得”组合
能力
- • {说|shuō}得{流利|liúlì}
- • {跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}
- • {弹|tán}得{好|hǎo}
状态/结果
- • {起|qǐ}得{早|zǎo}
- • {睡|shuì}得{晚|wǎn}
- • {忙|máng}得{累|lèi}
社交/评价
- • {干|gàn}得{漂亮|piàoliang}
- • {写|xiě}得{乱|luàn}
- • {演|yǎn}得{棒|bàng}
按水平分级的例句
{我|wǒ}{吃|chī}得{快|kuài}。
{他|tā}{跑|pǎo}得{快|kuài}。
{她|tā}{跳|tiào}{舞|wǔ}得{好|hǎo}。
{我|wǒ}{写|xiě}{字|zì}得{慢|màn}。
{他|tā}{汉|hàn}{语|yǔ}{说|shuō}得{很|hěn}{流|liú}{利|lì}。
{这|zhè}{个|gè}{菜|cài}{做|zuò}得{不|bù}{好|hǎo}。
{你|nǐ}{听|tīng}得{懂|dǒng}吗？
{他|tā}{唱|chàng}得{好|hǎo}不{好|hǎo}？
{他|tā}{昨|zuó}{天|tiān}{睡|shuì}得{很|hěn}{晚|wǎn}。
{这|zhè}{个|gè}{房|fáng}{间|jiān}{打|dǎ}{扫|sǎo}得{很|hěn}{干|gān}{净|jìng}。
{他|tā}{忙|máng}得{没|méi}{有|yǒu}{时|shí}{间|jiān}{吃|chī}{饭|fàn}。
{她|tā}{高|gāo}{兴|xìng}得{跳|tiào}{了|le}{起|qǐ}{来|lái}。
{他|tā}{写|xiě}{的|de}{字|zì}{漂|piào}{亮|liàng}得{像|xiàng}{艺|yì}{术|shù}{品|pǐn}。
{这|zhè}{个|gè}{问|wèn}{题|tí}{解|jiě}{决|jué}得{很|hěn}{完|wán}{美|měi}。
{他|tā}{累|lèi}得{连|lián}{话|huà}{都|dōu}{不|bù}{想|xiǎng}{说|shuō}。
{这|zhè}{场|chǎng}{比|bǐ}{赛|sài}{进|jìn}{行|xíng}得{非|fēi}{常|cháng}{激|jī}{烈|liè}。
{他|tā}{那|nà}{天|tiān}{气|qì}{得|de}{脸|liǎn}{色|sè}{发|fā}{青|qīng}。
{这|zhè}{部|bù}{小|xiǎo}{说|shuō}{写|xiě}得{引|yǐn}{人|rén}{入|rù}{胜|shèng}。
{他|tā}{对|duì}{这|zhè}{个|gè}{项|xiàng}{目|mù}{准|zhǔn}{备|bèi}得{十|shí}{分|fēn}{充|chōng}{分|fèn}。
{整|zhěng}{个|gè}{会|huì}{场|chǎng}{布|bù}{置|zhì}得{金|jīn}{碧|bì}{辉|huī}{煌|huáng}。
{他|tā}{那|nà}{番|fān}{话|huà}{说|shuō}得{入|rù}{木|mù}{三|sān}{分|fēn}。
{这|zhè}{件|jiàn}{事|shì}{情|qing}{处|chǔ}{理|lǐ}得{滴|dī}{水|shuǐ}{不|bù}{漏|lòu}。
{他|tā}{那|nà}{种|zhǒng}{执|zhí}{着|zhuó}{劲|jìn}{儿}{感|gǎn}{动|dòng}得{人|rén}{热|rè}{泪|lèi}{盈|yíng}{眶|kuàng}。
{这|zhè}{项|xiàng}{技|jì}{术|shù}{研|yán}{发|fā}得{炉|lú}{火|huǒ}{纯|chún}{青|qīng}。
容易混淆
Both sound the same, but 'de' (得) is for verbs, while 'de' (的) is for nouns.
Both sound the same, but 'de' (得) is for complements, while 'de' (地) is for adverbs.
Both describe qualities, but 'de' is for actions.
常见错误
好跑
跑得好
跑的快
跑得快
他跑快
他跑得快
他跑得很快
他跑得快
他中文说得很好
他说中文说得很好
他跑得不快吗？
他跑得快不快？
他跑得快很
他跑得很快
他忙得去不了
他忙得去不了
他写得字很好
他字写得很好
他跑得快极了
他跑得极快
他气得脸青
他气得脸发青
他准备得充分
他准备得十分充分
他处理得好
他处理得非常得当
句型
我___得___。
他___得___不___？
他___得连___都___。
这事儿处理得___。
Real World Usage
他今天跑得好快！
你听得懂吗？
我工作得非常努力。
这个菜做得太辣了。
这儿玩得真开心。
他写得很好。
宾语陷阱
加个“很”更自然
谦虚的艺术
Smart Tips
Repeat the verb to keep the sentence balanced.
Use A-not-A for a more native sound.
Use 'hen' to make the description sound complete.
Keep it simple: Verb + 得 + Adj.
发音
Neutral Tone
The particle 得 is pronounced in the neutral tone (de).
Statement
Subject + Verb + de + Adj ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Question
Subject + Verb + de + Adj + bu + Adj ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of '得' as a 'Descriptive Bridge'. It connects the action (Verb) to the quality (Adjective).
视觉联想
Imagine a runner (Verb) crossing a bridge (得) to reach a trophy (Adjective).
Rhyme
Action first, then the 'de', then the quality you see.
Story
Little Bear wanted to run. He ran (跑). He placed a bridge (得) down. Then he ran fast (快). Now he is a fast runner!
Word Web
挑战
Describe three things you do today using the 'Verb + 得 + Adj' structure.
文化笔记
Used in all contexts, from formal business to casual chat.
Similar usage, often with a slightly softer tone.
Learners often map this to Cantonese grammar structures.
The particle 'de' evolved from the verb 'de' (to obtain/get).
对话开场白
你中文说得怎么样？
你今天工作得累不累？
你觉得这首歌唱得好听吗？
你认为他处理得当吗？
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
“他说得很好”怎么说？
Find and fix the mistake:
{他|tā}{弹|tán}{钢琴|gāngqín}得{好|hǎo}。
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercises他跑___快。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
他中文说得很好 -> 他中文说得很好 (Wait, this is correct. Let's try: 他说中文得很好)
得 / 快 / 他 / 跑
She dances well.
A: 你听得懂吗？ B: ___
Subject: 他, Verb: 写, Adj: 慢
Which is a descriptive complement?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{弟弟|dìdi}{跑|pǎo} ___ {很|hěn}{慢|màn}。
得 / {说|shuō} / {她|tā} / {流利|liúlì} / {很}
选择最佳问句：
{我|wǒ}{做|zuò}{饭|fàn}得{很|hěn}{好吃|hǎochī}。
She dances beautifully.
夸奖配对：
{他|tā}{打|dǎ}{球|qiú} ___ 得{不|bù}{错|cuò}。
选出表示否定结果的描述：
{我|wǒ} / {忙|máng} / {忘|wàng} / 了 / 得
___ {他|tā}{做|zuò}得{很|hěn}{好吃|hǎochī}。
Score: /10
常见问题 (8)
In Chinese, the object cannot directly follow the complement. Repeating the verb allows the complement to attach to the action.
Yes, 'hen' is often used to add degree.
Yes, it is always a neutral tone.
You can use 'bu' after 'de'.
Most action verbs work, but state verbs do not.
的 is for nouns; 得 is for verbs.
Yes, it is used in all registers.
Yes, but it gets complex. Usually, it's 'Verb + de + Adj'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Adverbs
Chinese requires a particle; Spanish does not.
Adverbs
Chinese requires a particle; French does not.
Adverbs
Chinese requires a particle; German does not.
Adverbial form (-ku)
Japanese conjugates the adjective; Chinese uses a particle.
Adverbial accusative (Hal)
Arabic uses case; Chinese uses a particle.
Descriptive Complement
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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