How to use 的
Phrase + 的 + Noun
的 can attach an entire descriptive phrase to a noun, not just a single adjective. The phrase comes first, then 的, then the noun it identifies. English often expresses the same relationship with a clause beginning with “who,” “which,” or “that” after the noun, so the ordering requires special attention.
The modifier may describe what someone did, who performs an action, or another relation involving the noun. The construction itself does not establish a past, present, or future time; the wider context and any time expressions do that work. If the noun is already clear, it can sometimes be omitted after 的. The remaining phrase then refers to the understood person or thing.
Examples with pinyin and English
妈妈做的菜
the food that mom cooks / cooked
去北京的火车
the train that goes / went to Beijing
你教的学生
the students that you teach / taught
老板请的朋友
the friends that the boss invites / invited
What to remember
- Put the whole modifying phrase before 的.
- Keep the described noun after 的.
- Let context determine the modifier's time reference.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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