Definition
地 (pronounced *de* in neutral tone, not *dì*) is a structural particle that turns adjectives into adverbs, like adding '-ly' in English. It always comes between the adjective and the verb it modifies (e.g., 高兴地笑了 'laughed happily'). Do not confuse it with the noun 地 (dì) meaning 'ground' or 'land'.
particle
structural particle for forming adverbials-ly
Measure word · 片
Easily confused
- 塌tālook-aliketo collapse (of structures, etc.)
- 第dìsound-alike(prefix) used before a number to form ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)
- 场chǎnglook-alike(classifier) used for performances, sports matches, and other public events
- 底dǐsound-alikebottom, base, sole (of a container, shoe, or structure)
- 他tālook-alikehe; him
- 低dīsound-alike(adjective) low (in height, level, price, temperature, etc.)
- 池chílook-alikepool, pond
- 滴dīsound-alike(verb) to drip
- 塞sāilook-alike(verb) to stuff, to squeeze in; to block, to stop up
- 递dìsound-aliketo hand over, to pass (something to someone), to deliver
Examples
- 地。Tā gāoxìng dì xiào le.He laughed happily.
- 。Tiānqì màn màn dì rè le.The weather is slowly getting hot.
- 地。Lǎoshī rènzhēn dì tīng xuéshēng shuō huà.The teacher listened carefully to the students.
Grammar
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