……的
the … one (the noun is left out)
Structure
形容词／名词／代词／动词 + 的
What it means
When it is clear what you mean, drop the noun and keep 的: 红色的大衣 → 红的 “the red one”. It works like English “the … one”.
How it is built
Adjective, pronoun or verb phrase + 的: 大的, 我的 (mine), 卖鞋的 (the one who sells shoes). Example: 我不要黑的，我要白的 (I don’t want the black one, I want the white one).
When to use it
Use it when the thing was just named or is in front of you, as in shops: 有小的吗？ You have already said 我的包是大的 (h1-6) and 两个肉的 (h1-11).
Watch out
Drop the noun, but never drop 的 too. ✗ 我要红。 ✓ 我要红的。
Examples
我不要黑的，我要白的。
I don’t want the black one, I want the white one.
大的太贵了，有小的吗？
The big one is too expensive. Do you have a small one?
这件大衣是我的。
This coat is mine.
卖鞋的在那边。
The shoe seller is over there.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 4: 红的还是白的 (Colours and clothes)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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