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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min read

Multiple Modifiers for “My Two New Books”

Line up several describing words before a noun in the order Chinese speakers expect.

Pattern

owner + 这/那 + number + measure + longer 的-phrase + short adjective / type noun + noun

Whose comes first, then which and how many, and the closest, most basic description sits right next to the noun.

我的那两本新书在桌子上。

When to use Multiple Modifiers for “My Two New Books”

Every modifier in Chinese comes before the noun. When there are several, a common order is: owner (我的), then 这/那 + number + measure word (那两本), then longer phrases with 的, and last the short adjective or noun that sits right next to the main noun (新, 中文).

我的两个好朋友都会说中文。

My two good friends can both speak Chinese.

他的那本中文书很有意思。

That Chinese book of his is very interesting.

桌子上有两本新书。

There are two new books on the table.

这是一个很漂亮的小公园。

This is a very pretty little park.

Common traps

  • Put the owner before 这/那 and the number: 我的两个朋友, not 两个我的朋友.
  • Use 的 after 很 + adjective: 很漂亮的公园, not 很漂亮公园.
  • Keep the number before short adjectives: 两本新书, not 新两本书.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

中文书很有意思

That Chinese book of his is very interesting
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