beginnerA1 · TOCFL a1word ordergrammar
Pattern
Clause + modifier marker + noun
Core idea
Mandarin can put a whole descriptive clause before a noun. The clause tells which person or thing is meant, and 的 links that clause to the noun.
The modifier comes before the noun, even when English would put a relative clause after it.
What learners often miss
Keep the noun after 的. The phrase before 的 can be long, but the noun being identified still comes at the end of the noun phrase.
Examples
我昨天买的书在桌上。
Wǒ zuótiān mǎi de shū zài zhuō shàng.
The book I bought yesterday is on the table.
你认识的老师来了。
Nǐ rènshi de lǎoshī lái le.
The teacher you know has come.
他喜欢的咖啡很贵。
Tā xǐhuan de kāfēi hěn guì.
The coffee he likes is expensive.
Common mistakes
Avoid
书我昨天买的在桌上。
Use
我昨天买的书在桌上。
The modifying clause comes before 的, and the noun comes after 的.