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dìngyǔ
Attributive modifier (定语)
An attributive modifier (定语) is a word or phrase placed before a noun to describe or specify it. It can be an adjective (新书包), a number-measure word (两本书), another noun (中文书), or a possessive with 的 (我的书).
Exemplo principal
红色的包，新手机，三个同学——每次你描述一样东西，就已经用上定语了！
Hóngsè de bāo, xīn shǒujī, sān ge tóngxué — měi cì nǐ miáoshù yí yàng dōngxi, jiù yǐjīng yòng shang dìngyǔ le!
A red bag, a new phone, three classmates — every time you describe something, you are already using an attributive modifier!
HSK 1
HSK 1
1
1 estruturas
10
10 exercícios
Resumo da lição
Formula: Modifier + 名词 (e.g., 新书包 / 两本书 / 中文书 / 我的书). Meaning: the modifier comes BEFORE the noun to describe, count, or specify it. Key usage: adjectives, numbers+measure words, nouns, and possessives all go before the noun. Model sentence: 她买了一件新衣服。(She bought a new piece of clothing.) Never place the modifier after the noun.
The attributive modifier (定语) always comes BEFORE the noun it modifies — the opposite of English adjectives and closer to how Vietnamese works (though Vietnamese is after-noun). This is one of the most important word-order rules in Chinese.
Types of attributive modifiers at HSK 1: 1. Adjective modifier (without 的): single-syllable adjectives usually attach directly — 新书包 (new schoolbag), 红苹果 (red apple). 2. Adjective modifier (with 的): multi-syllable adjectives or emphatic descriptions use 的 — 漂亮的衣服 (beautiful clothes), 干净的房间 (clean room). 3. Number + measure word: always come before the noun — 两本书 (two books), 三个学生 (three students). 4. Noun modifier: one noun modifying another — 中文书 (Chinese book), 学校食堂 (school cafeteria). 5. Possessive with 的: 我的书 (my book), 老师的问题 (the teacher's question).
When NOT to use 的: Do NOT add 的 after single-syllable adjectives in front of nouns — 好人 (good person), NOT 好的人 (sounds odd in most contexts). With numbers + measure words, never add 的 — 三个学生, NOT 三个的学生.
Common mistake: Learners forget that modifiers go BEFORE the noun and translate from English or Vietnamese word order, putting adjectives after the noun.
Estrutura gramatical
Attributive modifier + noun
The modifier comes before the noun to describe, specify, or quantify it.
她穿了一件新衣服。
Tā chuān le yí jiàn xīn yīfu.
She is wearing a new piece of clothing.
我们班有三十个学生。
Wǒmen bān yǒu sānshí ge xuésheng.
Our class has thirty students.
爸爸买了一台新电脑。
Modifiers go BEFORE the noun in Chinese. 中文 modifies 书, so it must come first.
Number + measure word (两本) does not take 的 before the noun. Adding 的 here is a common but incorrect habit.
Complete a lacuna:
Bàba mǎi le yì tái xīn diànnǎo.
Dad bought a new computer.
Multi-syllable adjectives (漂亮) need 的 before the noun they modify.