认真地学习 · 地
how an action is done, like English -ly
Structure
形容词 + 地 + 动词
What it means
After a describing word, 地 (read de, no tone) works like English -ly: 认真地学习 (study seriously).
How it is built
Describing word + 地 + verb: 他高兴地说 (he said happily). A one-syllable word like 快 usually takes 很 first: 很快地写.
When to use it
As dì, 地 means “ground” (地图, 地上). 的 sounds the same, but 的 comes before a noun (认真的学生) and 地 before a verb (认真地学习).
Watch out
✗ 他学习认真地。 ✓ 他认真地学习。 The describing word + 地 always comes before the verb, never after it as in English.
Examples
孩子们认真地听老师说话。
The children listen carefully to the teacher.
他高兴地说：“我明白了！”
He said happily, “I get it now!”
大卫很快地写了三个汉字。
David quickly wrote three characters.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 14: 我会说汉语 (What I can do)
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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