The particle 地
We use the particle 地 to convert adjectives into adverbs. For example, it converts the word “quick” into the word “quickly”.
How to use the particle 地
We should use the particle 地 
before a verb to describe how or to what degree an action was performed.
before a verb to describe how or to what degree an action was performed.Scheme
adjective
地
verb
what to do?
Examples
反复地说
to say repeatedly
fǎnfù de shuō
热情地拥抱儿子
to give a warm hug to a son
rèqíng de yǒngbào érzi
Pay attention
In informal speech, it is acceptable to use 的 instead of 地. However it's better not to do it that way on purpose!
instead of 地. However it's better not to do it that way on purpose!There are three structural particles that sound the same as “de”. To avoid confusion, Chinese people state the 地 particle by the characters’ components, for example 土也地 .
.When there is an adjective before 地
The adjective before 地 must be composed of at least two characters.
If the adjective consists of one character, it should either be reduplicated or be used with an adverb of degree like 非常 , 更 .
, 更 . Pay attention
However there is an exception for the adverb 很 , which we cannot use in this case.
, which we cannot use in this case.For example:
Examples
老师非常快地把座位数了数
The teacher counted the seats very quickly
lǎoshī fēicháng kuài de bǎ zuòwèi shù le shù
Pay attention
We cannot say 快地数 or 很快地数.
Examples
慢慢地走
to walk slowly
mànman de zǒu
Pay attention
We cannot say 慢地走.
There is an exception for the word 猛 . This word can be used with 地 without adding additional adverbs or reduplication.
. This word can be used with 地 without adding additional adverbs or reduplication.
Examples
猛地跳起来
to jump suddenly
měng de tiàoqǐlái
When there is not an adjective before 地
Sometimes we can use short phrases before 地 to describe how actions are carried out.
These phrases may consist of:
Measure words
We should state measure words twice with or without the numeral 一 before them. We use this structure with measure words to express that the action was performed sequentially.
before them. We use this structure with measure words to express that the action was performed sequentially.Scheme
(一) measure word
(一) measure word
地
verb
Pay attention
We also may omit 地 in this case.
Examples
一步一步地解释
to explain step by step
yíbù yíbù de jiěshì
一天天改进
to improve day by day
yì tiāntiān gǎijìn
Verbs with the meaning of “constantly”
These verbs are: 不住 , 不停 , 不断 .
, 不停 , 不断 .Examples
风的方方向在不断地变
The direction of the wind is constantly changing
fēng de fāngxiàng zài búduàn de biàn
Verb combinations
These are combinations of a verb with other words — complements, morphemes or adverbs.
Examples
我们极感兴趣地等待你的答复
We are very interested to hear your response
wǒmen jí gǎnxìngqù de děngdài nǐ de dáfù
她忍不住地笑了
She couldn't stop laughing
tā rěn bù zhùdì xiào le
Nouns
There are not many nouns which we can use before 地. For example:
乐观
悲观
科学
悲观
科学
Examples
他科学地论述他的主题
He discusses his subject scientifically
tā kēxué de lùnshù tā de zhǔtí
Idiomatic phrases
Examples
我们会毫无保留地接受您的建议
We will accept your suggestions without reservation
wǒmen huì háo wú bǎoliú de jiēshòu nín de jiànyì
One-syllable sound-imitating words
Examples
那只小鸟嗖地飞上了树梢
The little bird swooshed up into the treetops
nà zhǐ xiǎo niǎo sōu de fēi shàng le shù shāo
When 地 may be omitted
We can use 地 optionally in the following cases:
1) when the adjective can be the adverb by itself.
Examples
大声(地)说
to say loudly
dàshēng (de) shuō
认真(地)学习
to study diligently
rènzhēn (de) xuéxí
注意(地)听
to listen carefully
zhùyì (de) tīng
2) when the action is expressed by a comparative construction (except constructions with 似的 ).
).Examples
孩子像看怪物一样(地)瞪着我
The children stared at me like a monster
háizi xiàng kàn guàiwù yíyàng (de) dèng zhe wǒ
3) when the action is expressed by a two-syllable sound-imitating word.
Examples
喜鹊喳喳(地)叫
The magpie is chirping
xǐquè chāchā (de) jiào
Situations in which we don’t use 地
1) in a comparative construction with 似的 because there is already another "de" — 的.
Examples
她发疯似的奔跑起来
She rushed like crazy
tā fāfēng shìde bēnpǎo qǐlái
2) with two-syllabic verbs that form an idiomatic expression with the predicate.
For example:
补充说明
3) when there is a combination of a numeral and an adjective before the verb.
Examples
一夜成名
to become famous overnight
yīyè chéngmíng
The difference between 地 and 得
Pay attention
Let’s compare 地 with the usage of 得 as the state complement.
as the state complement.1) 地 should be placed before verbs, while 得 should be placed after verbs or adjectives.
2) we use 地 to describe an action in a specific case, but we use 得 to describe a permanent characteristic of an action.
Let’s compare:
他汉字写得认真 (always).
他很认真地写好了这个汉字 (in this time specifically)
(always).
他很认真地写好了这个汉字 (in this time specifically)3) With 得 we can use any adverbs of degree. For example: 真 , 特别 .
However, with 地 we can only use 很 , 非常 , 十分 and 不太 in negation.
, 特别 .
However, with 地 we can only use 很 , 非常 , 十分 and 不太 in negation.