我的, 新的, 卖水果的 for 的-Phrases (“Mine”, “The New One”)

Pattern

pronoun / noun / adjective / verb phrase + 的 (noun left out)

When everyone knows which thing you mean, keep the describer and 的 and drop the noun: 我的书 → 我的, 大的苹果 → 大的.

这本书不是我的，是我哥哥的。

When to use 我的, 新的, 卖水果的 for 的-Phrases (“Mine”, “The New One”)

A 的-phrase (的字短语) is a describing word or phrase + 的, with the noun after it left out because the listener already knows what thing you mean. The whole phrase works like a noun. The describer can be a pronoun or noun (我的, “mine”; 哥哥的, “my brother’s”), an adjective (大的, “the big one”; 红色的, “the red one”), or a verb phrase (卖水果的, “the person who sells fruit”; 妈妈做的, “what Mom made”). It is often used after 是 or as an object.

卖水果的来了。

The fruit seller is here.

这些菜都是妈妈做的。

All these dishes were made by Mom.

有没有便宜一点儿的？

Do you have a cheaper one?

这件太小了，我想要大一点儿的。

This one is too small. I’d like a slightly bigger one.

Common traps

Don’t drop the 的: 这本书是我的 means “the book is mine”; 这本书是我 is wrong.
Use a 的-phrase only when the listener knows what thing you mean; otherwise keep the noun.
Naming people with a 的-phrase, like 卖水果的, is casual; in polite speech use the job word, such as 司机 for a driver.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

卖菜来了，我们去买点儿菜吧

The vegetable seller is here. Let’s go and buy some vegetables

Meanings

particle; with the noun left out, “the one that …”

Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

When to use 我的, 新的, 卖水果的 for 的-Phrases (“Mine”, “The New One”)

Common traps

Targeted drill

Keep this pattern in review.