的, 得 and 地: how to tell them apart
All three are pronounced de, so you cannot hear the difference, but in writing an examiner will see it at once. One question decides which one you need: what comes right after it?
Updated 14 November 2026
The short rule
- 的 + noun: describes a thing. 漂亮的衣服, 我的朋友.
- 地 + verb: describes how an action is done. 慢慢地走, 认真地学习.
- verb + 得: describes the result or degree of an action. 说得很好, 累得不想动.
的: before a noun
这是一个很有意思的问题。
我昨天买的书很好看。
Whatever comes before 的 (an adjective, a person, even a whole clause like 我昨天买) describes the noun after it. 的 also ends some sentences, as in 是…的: 我是坐飞机来的.
地: before a verb
他高兴的跑过来。
他高兴地跑过来。
When a word describes the way someone does something and comes before the verb, use 地. Look at the next word: 跑 is a verb, so 地.
得: after a verb
她汉字写的很漂亮。
她汉字写得很漂亮。
When a word comes after the verb and says how well, how much, or with what result, use 得.
With an object: repeat the verb
他说汉语得很流利。
他说汉语说得很流利。
他汉语说得很流利。
得 must come straight after the verb, so it cannot follow the object. Either say the verb twice, or move the object to the front.
Check it in three seconds
Each time you write de, look at the word right after it. A noun: 的. A verb: 地. And if the de comes right after a verb, it is almost always 得.
You will also see native speakers write 的 where 地 belongs, especially online. In an exam, stick to the standard rule above.