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HSK 3 Demonstrative Pronouns: 别的 and 其他 (Other, Else)
Both 别的 and 其他 mean 'other' or 'else' and are classified as demonstrative pronouns in the Level 3 syllabus outline. While they overlap when modifying nouns, 别的 is more conversational and easily stands alone as a pronoun, whereas 其他 is slightly more formal and frequently pairs directly with nouns without the particle 的.
我今天不想去这家饭馆，我们去别的地方吧。
别的 directly modifies the noun 地方 (place) without adding another 的 or a measure word.
× 这件衣服太小了，请给我看别的件。
别的件 is not the normal way to say “another item.” Use 另外一件 to keep the count of one, or 别的衣服 for an unspecified alternative. This does not imply that 其他 can never precede a quantity phrase.
Corrected example: 这件衣服太小了，请给我看另外一件。
Read the full explanation and examples
Core Meaning and Syllabus Scope
When you want to refer to people or things outside of what has already been mentioned—equivalent to English 'other', 'another', or 'something else'—Chinese relies heavily on the demonstrative pronouns 别的 and 其他. In the HSK 3.0 syllabus outline (2025-11 edition), both words are grouped under Level 3 demonstrative pronouns (指示代词).
Both words exclude a known item or group and point to remaining or alternative options. Because they already refer to unspecified alternatives, they behave differently from ordinary adjectives and demonstratives like 这 (this) or 那 (that).
How to Use 别的 in Everyday Speech
别的 is a common way to say 'other' or 'else' in daily conversation. Notice that the particle 的 is built directly into the word. Because of this, you never add a second 的 after 别的 when placing it before a noun.
我今天不想去这家饭馆，我们去别的地方吧。
别的 directly modifies the noun 地方 (place) without adding another 的 or a measure word.
When the context makes it completely clear what kind of thing or person you are talking about, you can drop the noun altogether. In this standalone pattern, 别的 functions just like 'anything else', 'something else', or 'others' in English.
我已经吃饱了，不想吃别的了。
别的 stands alone after the verb 吃 (eat) to mean 'anything else'.
How to Use 其他 for General and Formal Contexts
其他 carries the same core meaning as 别的, but it sounds slightly more formal or neutral. It is widely used in workplace communication, written notices, and polite conversation. Unlike 别的, 其他 does not end with 的 by default. You can place it directly before a noun, or you can insert 的 between 其他 and the noun.
With two-syllable nouns (such as 同事 'colleague', 地方 'place', or 问题 'question') or single-syllable nouns like 人 ('person'), omitting 的 is very natural and concise, though adding 的 is also acceptable when modifying general nouns.
小王今天请假了，其他同事都来开会了。
其他 directly modifies the two-syllable noun 同事 (colleagues) without 的.
这个问题我们先不讨论，先看其他的问题。
其他 is followed by 的 before the noun 问题 (questions), which is also completely natural.
Comparing 别的 and 其他
When modifying a noun, 别的 and 其他 are often interchangeable. However, paying attention to three practical differences will make your Chinese sound much more natural:
- Register: 别的 is strongly preferred in casual, spoken Chinese. 其他 fits both spoken and written Chinese and is preferred in announcements, reports, or polite business settings.
- Use of 的: 别的 already contains 的 and cannot drop it in this pattern (except in fixed compound words like 别人 'other people'). 其他 can be used with or without 的 before a noun.
- Standalone use after a verb: 别的 very naturally stands alone as the object of a verb to mean 'something else' or 'anything else'. Bare 其他 rarely stands alone as an object; if speakers omit the noun after 其他, they usually attach 的 (其他的) so that it functions as a nominal phrase.
Structural Limits and Common Learner Mistakes
In Chinese, demonstrative pronouns like 这 (this) and 那 (that) regularly combine with numbers and measure words (for example, 这三本书 'these three books' or 那件衣服 'that piece of clothing'). A very common learner error is assuming that 别的 and 其他 follow the exact same rule.
Do not confuse a bare classifier with a complete quantity phrase. 其他三本书 (the other three books) and 其他两个人 (the other two people) are valid. 别的三个同学 can also refer to three other classmates in a suitable context. For a single alternative, 另外一件 is a clear basic pattern. The error below is specifically 别的件, not every expression containing an “other” word and a classifier.
× 这件衣服太小了，请给我看别的件。
别的件 is not the normal way to say “another item.” Use 另外一件 to keep the count of one, or 别的衣服 for an unspecified alternative. This does not imply that 其他 can never precede a quantity phrase.
Corrected example: 这件衣服太小了，请给我看另外一件。
这件衣服太小了，请给我看另外一件。
另外一件 gives a complete quantity expression for “another one.” You can also say 别的衣服 when you do not need to specify a count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 别人 and 别的人?
别人 is a fixed pronoun meaning 'other people' in general. 别的人 also means 'other people', but it is slightly more specific, often contrasting with a particular person or group just mentioned in the conversation. With almost all other nouns at this level, you must keep the 的 in 别的.
Can 其他 be used without a noun after it?
Bare 其他 rarely stands alone as the object of a verb in everyday speech. If you want to omit the noun because the context is already clear, add 的 to form 其他的 (for example, looking at 'the others'), or simply use 别的.
