的 for Possession and Modification

Chinese grammar · HSK 1 · 结构助词 · By Carson 木林森 · Updated October 2026

的 (de) is the particle that links a describing word to the noun after it, so it marks possession (我的书, my book) and modification (大的书, the big book). Close family words usually drop it, as in 我妈妈.

• 我的书 = my book
• 老师的学生 = the teacher's student
• 大的书 = the big book (adjective + 的 + noun)

Standalone 的 — pronoun + 的 without a following noun:
- 这是我的。= This is mine.
- 那是他的。= That is his.

Dropped 的 with close family:
With family words, 的 is often dropped in speech:
- 我妈妈 (not 我的妈妈) = my mom
- 你爸爸 (not 你的爸爸) = your dad

With adjectives:
A one-syllable adjective can take 的 or leave it out — 大书包 and 大的书包 are both correct, and 好朋友 / 新衣服 normally drop it. Add 很, or use a two-syllable adjective, and 的 is needed: 很大的书包 ✅, 漂亮的衣服 ✅.

Worked examples

Word by word

Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.

的 (de)

Links a word that describes or owns to the noun after it.

Structure: Noun / Pronoun / Adjective + 的 + Noun

Not: 这是很漂亮衣服。 After 很 plus an adjective, 的 is needed before the noun: 很漂亮的衣服。

In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 1, particles (结构助词); level 2, particles (语气助词).

的 is also explained in: Sentence-final Particles: 啊、吧、的 (HSK 2) · Verbal Phrases as Subject, Object & Modifier (HSK 3) · Duration complement: V+了+time (HSK 4).

Produce this pattern without stopping to think about it. GraphChinese drills 的 for Possession and Modification across 14 exercises and schedules the review that keeps it.

Questions about 的 for Possession and Modification

What does 结构助词 (的 for Possession and Modification) mean in Chinese?

的 (de) is the particle that links a describing word to the noun after it, so it marks possession (我的书, my book) and modification (大的书, the big book). Close family words usually drop it, as in 我妈妈. It is an HSK 1 grammar point.

How do you use 结构助词 (的 for Possession and Modification) in a sentence?

这是他的电脑，不是我的。 — Zhè shì tā de diàn nǎo, bù shì wǒ de. — This is his computer, not mine. 他的 = his; 我的 used standalone (without following noun).

Where does 结构助词 (的 for Possession and Modification) come in the HSK sequence?

HSK 1, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.

When can I leave out 的 in Chinese?

With close family and relationships it is usually dropped: 我妈妈很忙。 It is also dropped with a short adjective in a set phrase, like 好朋友。

Can 的 end a sentence with no noun after it?

Yes. When the noun is already clear, 的 stands in for it: 这本书是我的。 means 'This book is mine.'

Related guides: All 195 grammar points · HSK 1 grammar · How to pass HSK 1 · The HSK levels, explained