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HSK 2 Grammar: Nominalized 的 (de) Phrases (“的”字短语)
A “的”字短语 (de-phrase) is formed by placing the particle 的 (de) directly after a pronoun, noun, adjective, or verb phrase without a following noun. The entire phrase functions like a noun, equivalent to English expressions like 'mine', 'the red one', or 'something to eat'.
这本汉语书不是我的，是老师的。
我的 (wǒ de) and 老师的 (lǎoshī de) replace 'my book' and 'the teacher's book'.
× 这件大衣太大了，你有小吗？
Incorrect: The bare adjective 小 (xiǎo) cannot act as a noun object after 有 (yǒu) when referring to a smaller coat. Replace it with 小的 (xiǎo de).
Corrected example: 这件大衣太大了，你有小的吗？
Read the full explanation and examples
What is a “的”字短语 (de-phrase)?
A de-phrase can avoid repeating a noun when the intended item is clear: 我的, 红色的, or 昨天买的. Repeating a known noun is not inherently unnatural; choose the full noun or the shorter phrase according to clarity and emphasis.
Even though there is no noun at the end, this structure acts as a noun phrase in a sentence. It can serve as a subject, an object, or the complement after 是 (shì). In English, this often translates to possessive pronouns like 'mine' and 'yours', or phrases using 'one' and 'ones' like 'the big one' or 'the one I bought yesterday'.
How to Build Phrases with 的 (de)
You can attach 的 (de) to several different types of words and phrases to create a nominalized phrase:
- Pronouns or Nouns + 的: Expresses possession or affiliation without repeating the owned item.
- Adjectives + 的: Identifies an item by its quality, color, size, or state.
- Verbs or Verb Phrases + 的: Identifies an item by an action associated with it, or names a general category of things.
这本汉语书不是我的，是老师的。
我的 (wǒ de) and 老师的 (lǎoshī de) replace 'my book' and 'the teacher's book'.
我不喜欢红色的，我想买那个白色的。
红色的 (hóngsè de) and 白色的 (báisè de) act as direct objects referring to an item known from context.
When 的 (de) follows a simple action verb like eat, drink, or wear, it often refers to a general category of things—such as food, beverages, or clothing—even if no specific noun was mentioned earlier in the conversation.
桌子上有很多吃的和喝的。
吃的 (chī de, things to eat) and 喝的 (hē de, things to drink) refer to general categories without needing a previously mentioned noun.
昨天买的太小了，今天买的很合适。
Verb phrases like 昨天买的 (zuótiān mǎi de) act as the subjects of the two clauses.
Contrast: Modifying a Noun vs. Replacing a Noun Phrase
It is helpful to distinguish a standard attributive phrase (which includes a head noun) from a “的”字短语 (which stands alone as a noun phrase). In a standard attributive phrase, single-syllable adjectives like 新 (xīn, new) often attach directly to the noun without 的 (de). However, when the noun is omitted, 的 (de) becomes mandatory to turn the adjective into a noun phrase.
那件新衣服很贵。
Here 新 (xīn) directly modifies the explicit noun 衣服 (yīfu).
那件衣服是新的，这一件是旧的。
Here 新的 (xīn de) and 旧的 (jiù de) stand alone after 是 (shì) to classify the items.
Notice also in earlier examples that demonstratives and measure words like 那个 (nàge) or 这一件 (zhè yí jiàn) can sit directly in front of a de-phrase, just as they would sit in front of a regular noun.
Limits and Common Learner Mistakes
A “的”字短语 has one major practical limit: except for fixed general categories like food and drink, the listener must be able to tell from context what omitted noun you are talking about. If you walk into a room and immediately ask where the red one is without any prior context, nobody will know what object you mean.
A common mistake for learners is forgetting 的 (de) when using an adjective as the object of a verb like 有 (yǒu, to have) or 买 (mǎi, to buy). In Chinese, a bare adjective like 小 (xiǎo, small) cannot stand alone as the object of 有 (yǒu) when you mean 'a small one'. You must add 的 (de) to nominalize it.
× 这件大衣太大了，你有小吗？
Incorrect: The bare adjective 小 (xiǎo) cannot act as a noun object after 有 (yǒu) when referring to a smaller coat. Replace it with 小的 (xiǎo de).
Corrected example: 这件大衣太大了，你有小的吗？
这件大衣太大了，你有小的吗？
Correct: Adding 的 (de) turns 小 (xiǎo) into a nominalized phrase meaning 'a small one'.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a number and measure word in front of a de-phrase?
Yes. Because a de-phrase acts like a noun, you can place a demonstrative, number, and measure word right before it, such as 那个白色的 (nàge báisè de, that white one) or 两件新的 (liǎng jiàn xīn de, two new ones).
Do I always need a previously mentioned noun to use a de-phrase?
No previous spoken noun is required if the referent is clear from the situation—for example, pointing at coats and asking for 小的 (“the small one”). Shared visual context counts too. Common expressions such as 吃的 and 喝的 can also name general categories without a particular item having been mentioned.
Why is this listed under HSK 2 in this guide?
This lesson follows the 2025-11 syllabus outline (labeled for 2026-07 implementation), which lists “的”字短语 at Level 2. Because individual test centers may administer different versions of the HSK at a given time, always check the official requirements for your specific booked exam.
