Placement of adjectives in Chinese
In Mandarin Chinese, adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. They can be used to indicate qualities or characteristics such as size, color, shape, or mood. In Chinese, adjectives are usually placed before the noun they modify, which is different from English where adjectives typically come after the noun..
For example, if you wanted to describe a beautiful flower, you would use the adjective “美丽” (měi lì) before the noun “花” (huā), resulting in the phrase “美丽的花” (měi lì de huā). Similarly, if you wanted to describe a big house, you would use the adjective “大” (dà) before the noun “房子” (fáng zi), resulting in the phrase “大房子” (dà fáng zi).
Invariability of Chinese adjectives
It’s important to note that in Chinese, adjectives are not inflected or changed to match the gender, number, or tense of the noun they modify. This makes them relatively easy to use for beginners, as the adjective itself doesn’t change.
Emphasis and poetic usage of adjectives
In some cases, Chinese adjectives can be used after the noun they modify for emphasis or to create a particular rhythm in speech or writing. However, this is less common and usually reserved for more formal or poetic language. unless you try using an adverb. For example:
In the sentence “他很帅” (tā hěn shuài) he is very handsome, “很” (hěn) is the adverb, and “帅” (shuài) is the adjective.
The role of “很” (hěn) as an adverb
In Chinese, adverbs usually come before the adjective they modify, so “很” (hěn) comes before “帅” (shuài) in this sentence. “很” (hěn) means “very” and indicates the degree of the adjective.
Adding the particle “的” (de) after adjectives
If we add the particle “的” (de) to the sentence, it becomes “他很帅的” (tā hěn shuài de). This is a grammatically correct sentence, but the meaning changes slightly.
Adding “的” (de) after the adjective “帅” (shuài) indicates possession or a quality that belongs to someone or something. So “他很帅的” (tā hěn shuài de) can be translated as “He is someone who is very handsome” or “He is very handsome indeed.”
Conclusion
Overall, understanding how to use adjectives is an important part of learning Mandarin Chinese. By placing them before the noun, you can add clarity and specificity to your language, making it easier to communicate your ideas and thoughts to others.
Adjectives for APPEARANCE:
美丽 (měi lì) – beautiful
苗条 (miáo tiáo) – slim
英俊 (yīng jùn) – handsome
高大 (gāo dà) – tall
矮小 (ǎi xiǎo) – short
帅气 (shuài qì) – handsome and manly
可爱 (kě ài) – cute
清秀 (qīng xiù) – delicate and pretty
丑陋 (chǒu lòu) – ugly
肥胖 (féi pàng) – obese
优美 (yōu měi) – graceful
精致 (jīng zhì) – delicate and exquisite
纤细 (xiān xì) – slender
年轻 (nián qīng) – young
老年 (lǎo nián) – old
神秘 (shén mì) – mysterious
温柔 (wēn róu) – gentle
强壮 (qiáng zhuàng) – strong and robust
灵活 (líng huó) – agile and flexible
稳重 (wěn zhòng) – steady and reliable
Adjectives for PERSONALITY:
友好 (yǒu hǎo) – friendly
善良 (shàn liáng) – kind-hearted
勇敢 (yǒng gǎn) – brave
聪明 (cōng míng) – intelligent
幽默 (yōu mò) – humorous
害羞 (hài xiū) – shy
自信 (zì xìn) – confident
开朗 (kāi lǎng) – outgoing
忠诚 (zhōng chéng) – loyal
谦虚 (qiān xū) – modest
冷静 (lěng jìng) – calm and composed
热情 (rè qíng) – enthusiastic
热心 (rè xīn) – enthusiastic and helpful
严肃 (yán sù) – serious
耿直 (gěng zhí) – honest and upright
耐心 (nài xīn) – patient
开明 (kāi míng) – open-minded
好学 (hǎo xué) – eager to learn
平和 (píng hé) – peaceful and harmonious
好奇 (hào qí) – curious
Adjectives for EMOTIONS:
高兴 (gāoxìng) – happy
愉快 (yúkuài) – joyful
激动 (jīdòng) – excited
焦急 (jiāojí) – anxious
恐惧 (kǒngjù) – fearful
心烦 (xīnfán) – annoyed
生气 (shēngqì) – angry
沮丧 (jǔsàng) – depressed
害羞 (hàixiū) – shy
幸福 (xìngfú) – content
愤怒 (fènnù) – furious
担心 (dānxīn) – worried
失望 (shīwàng) – disappointed
痛苦 (tòngkǔ) – painful
紧张 (jǐnzhāng) – tense
懊恼 (àonǎo) – upset
感激 (gǎnjī) – grateful
忧郁 (yōuyù) – melancholy
郁闷 (yùmèn) – gloomy
安心 (ānxīn) – relieved
Adjectives for BEHAVIOR:
热情 (rèqíng) – enthusiastic
勇敢 (yǒnggǎn) – brave
责任感 (zérèngǎn) – responsible
有礼貌 (yǒulǐmào) – polite
有耐心 (yǒunàixīn) – patient
冷静 (lěngjìng) – calm
谦虚 (qiānxū) – humble
自信 (zìxìn) – confident
坚定 (jiāndìng) – determined
诚实 (chéngshí) – honest
勤奋 (qínfèn) – diligent
慷慨 (kāngkǎi) – generous
活泼 (huópō) – lively
懒惰 (lǎnduò) – lazy
自律 (zìlǜ) – self-disciplined
成熟 (chéngshú) – mature
随和 (suíhé) – easygoing
友好 (yǒuhǎo) – friendly
平衡 (pínghéng) – balanced
有创意 (yǒuchuàngyì) – creative
Adjective for RELATIONSHIPS
亲密 (qīn mì) – intimate
友好 (yǒu hǎo) – friendly
信任 (xìn rèn) – trustworthy
融洽 (róng qià) – harmonious
忠诚 (zhōng chéng) – loyal
真诚 (zhēn chéng) – sincere
和睦 (hé mù) – peaceful
关爱 (guān ài) – caring
同情 (tóng qíng) – sympathetic
合作 (hé zuò) – cooperative
尊重 (zūn zhòng) – respectful
理解 (lǐ jiě) – understanding
宽容 (kuān róng) – tolerant
温馨 (wēn xīn) – warm
浪漫 (làng màn) – romantic
感恩 (gǎn ēn) – grateful
团结 (tuán jié) – united
感性 (gǎn xìng) – emotional
热情 (rè qíng) – enthusiastic
融合 (róng hé) – fusion
Adjectives for HEALTH:
健康 (jiàn kāng) – healthy
健康的 (jiàn kāng de) – healthful
强壮 (qiáng zhuàng) – robust
健壮 (jiàn zhuàng) – strong
精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi) – energetic
精神饱满 (jīng shén bǎo mǎn) – spirited
爽快 (shuǎng kuài) – refreshing
活力充沛 (huó lì chōng pèi) – vivacious
有活力的 (yǒu huó lì de) – lively
舒适 (shū shì) – comfortable
安全 (ān quán) – safe
平衡 (píng héng) – balanced
幸福 (xìng fú) – happy
有营养的 (yǒu yíng yǎng de) – nutritious
纯净 (chún jìng) – pure
无害的 (wú hài de) – harmless
健全 (jiàn quán) – sound
清新 (qīng xīn) – fresh
好的 (hǎo de) – good
优美 (yōu měi) – graceful
Adjectives for EDUCATION:
好学 (hǎo xué) – eager to learn
有知识 (yǒu zhī shi) – knowledgeable
有文化 (yǒu wén huà) – cultured
聪明 (cōng míng) – intelligent
有才华 (yǒu cái huá) – talented
有天赋 (yǒu tiān fù) – gifted
有创意 (yǒu chuàng yì) – creative
有见识 (yǒu jiàn shi) – insightful
勤奋 (qín fèn) – diligent
专注 (zhuān zhù) – focused
有毅力 (yǒu yì lì) – determined
熟练 (shú liàn) – skilled
有教养 (yǒu jiào yǎng) – well-mannered
有修养 (yǒu xiū yǎng) – cultured
具有影响力 (jù yǒu yǐng xiǎng lì) – influential
有学术素养 (yǒu xué shù sù yǎng) – academically competent
有思考能力 (yǒu sī kǎo néng lì) – analytical
细心 (xì xīn) – meticulous
有条理 (yǒu tiáo lǐ) – organized
敏锐 (mǐn ruì) – perceptive
Adjectives for POLITICS:
公正 (gōng zhèng) – fair
公平 (gōng píng) – just
民主 (mín zhǔ) – democratic
专制 (zhuān zhì) – authoritarian
独裁 (dú cái) – dictatorial
腐败 (fǔ bài) – corrupt
稳定 (wěn dìng) – stable
和谐 (hé xié) – harmonious
有序 (yǒu xù) – orderly
激进 (jī jìn) – radical
保守 (bǎo shǒu) – conservative
进步 (jìn bù) – progressive
共产主义 (gòng chǎn zhǔ yì) – communist
民族主义 (mín zú zhǔ yì) – nationalism
国际主义 (guó jì zhǔ yì) – internationalism
人民当家作主 (rén mín dāng jiā zuò zhǔ) – people-oriented
有追求 (yǒu zhuī qiú) – aspirational
善政 (shàn zhèng) – good governance
Adjectives for ART:
美丽 (měi lì) – beautiful
独特 (dú tè) – unique
传统 (chuán tǒng) – traditional
精细 (jīng xì) – exquisite
惊人 (jīng rén) – amazing
创新 (chuàng xīn) – innovative
感性 (gǎn xìng) – emotional
抽象 (chōu xiàng) – abstract
可爱 (kě ài) – cute
夸张 (kuā zhāng) – exaggerated
灵动 (líng dòng) – lively
优美 (yōu měi) – graceful
萌芽 (méng yá) – budding
多彩 (duō cǎi) – colorful
色彩斑斓 (sè cǎi bān lán) – colorful
雄伟 (xióng wěi) – magnificent
优秀 (yōu xiù) – excellent
珍贵 (zhēn guì) – precious
神秘 (shén mì) – mysterious
丰富 (fēng fù) – rich
Adjectives for SPORTS:
健康 (jiàn kāng) – healthy
动感 (dòng gǎn) – dynamic
激烈 (jī liè) – intense
高强度 (gāo qiáng dù) – high intensity
有趣 (yǒu qù) – interesting
挑战性 (tiǎo zhàn xìng) – challenging
协作性 (xié zuò xìng) – collaborative
高风险 (gāo fēng xiǎn) – high-risk
激励人心 (jī lì rén xīn) – motivating
高效 (gāo xiào) – efficient
竞争性 (jìng zhēng xìng) – competitive
强身健体 (qiáng shēn jiàn tǐ) – strengthen the body
热血沸腾 (rè xuè fèi téng) – passionate
勇敢 (yǒng gǎn) – brave
灵活 (líng huó) – flexible
稳定 (wěn dìng) – stable
紧张刺激 (jǐn zhāng cì jī) – thrilling
享受 (xiǎng shòu) – enjoyable
好玩 (hǎo wán) – fun
挑战极限 (tiǎo zhàn jí xiàn) – push the limits
Adjectives for FOOD:
美味的 (měi wèi de) – delicious
新鲜的 (xīn xiān de) – fresh
香的 (xiāng de) – fragrant
辣的 (là de) – spicy
甜的 (tián de) – sweet
咸的 (xián de) – salty
酸的 (suān de) – sour
清淡的 (qīng dàn de) – light in flavor
浓郁的 (nóng yù de) – rich, strong
细嫩的 (xì nèn de) – tender
香脆的 (xiāng cuì de) – crispy
煎炸的 (jiān zhá de) – fried
烤的 (kǎo de) – roasted
烧烤的 (shāo kǎo de) – barbecued
粘的 (zhān de) – sticky
温热的 (wēn rè de) – warm
凉爽的 (liáng shuǎng de) – cool
流口水的 (liú kǒu shuǐ de) – mouth-watering
汤汁浓郁的 (tāng zhī nóng yù de) – rich in soup
鲜美可口的 (xiān měi kě kǒu de) – tasty and delicious
Adjectives for TRAVEL:
美丽的 (měi lì de) – beautiful
壮观的 (zhuàng guān de) – magnificent
古老的 (gǔ lǎo de) – ancient
独特的 (dú tè de) – unique
著名的 (zhù míng de) – famous
珍贵的 (zhēn guì de) – precious
幽静的 (yōu jìng de) – quiet
热闹的 (rè nào de) – lively
安静的 (ān jìng de) – peaceful
风景优美的 (fēng jǐng yōu měi de) – beautiful scenery
富有挑战性的 (fù yǒu tiǎo zhàn xìng de) – challenging
开放的 (kāi fàng de) – open-minded
神秘的 (shén mì de) – mysterious
宏伟的 (hóng wěi de) – grand
刺激的 (cì jī de) – exciting
安全的 (ān quán de) – safe
舒适的 (shū shì de) – comfortable
美食众多的 (měi shí zhòng duō de) – many delicious foods
Adjectives for TECHNOLOGY:
先进 (xiān jìn) – advanced
现代 (xiàn dài) – modern
高科技 (gāo kē jì) – high-tech
智能 (zhì néng) – intelligent
数字化 (shù zì huà) – digitized
实用 (shí yòng) – practical
方便 (fāng biàn) – convenient
快捷 (kuài jié) – fast
灵活 (líng huó) – flexible
革命性的 (gé mìng xìng de) – revolutionary
可靠 (kě kào) – reliable
高效 (gāo xiào) – efficient
全球领先的 (quán qiú lǐng xiān de) – globally leading
先进的 (xiān jìn de) – cutting-edge
节能 (jié néng) – energy-saving
环保 (huán bǎo) – environmentally friendly
网络化 (wǎng luò huà) – networked
具有创新性的 (jù yǒu chuàng xīn xìng de) – innovative
无线的 (wú xiàn de) – wireless
互联网的 (hù lián wǎng de) – internet-based
Adjectives for FASHION:
时尚 (shí shàng) – fashionable
个性化的 (gè xìng huà de) – personalized
风格独特的 (fēng gé dú tè de) – unique in style
优雅的 (yōu yǎ de) – elegant
美丽的 (měi lì de) – beautiful
艺术性的 (yì shù xìng de) – artistic
精致的 (jīng zhì de) – delicate
时髦的 (shí máo de) – trendy
品味高雅的 (pǐn wèi gāo yǎ de) – tasteful
简约的 (jiǎn yuē de) – simple and refined
大胆的 (dà dǎn de) – bold
创新的 (chuàng xīn de) – innovative
炫目的 (xuàn mù de) – eye-catching
浪漫的 (làng màn de) – romantic
豪华的 (háo huá de) – luxurious
典雅的 (diǎn yǎ de) – graceful
摩登的 (mó dēng de) – modern
朴素的 (pǔ sù de) – simple and natural
青春活力的 (qīng chūn huó lì de) – youthful and energetic
Adjectives for BUSINESS:
成功的 (chénggōng de) – successful
盈利的 (yínglì de) – profitable
有利可图的 (yǒulì kětú de) – lucrative
繁荣的 (fánróng de) – prosperous
稳定的 (wěndìng de) – stable
巨大的 (jùdà de) – huge
竞争激烈的 (jìngzhēng jīliè de) – highly competitive
专业的 (zhuānyè de) – professional
有创意的 (yǒu chuàngyì de) – creative
高效的 (gāoxiào de) – efficient
创新的 (chuàngxīn de) – innovative
有前途的 (yǒu qiántú de) – promising
灵活的 (línghuó de) – flexible
有影响力的 (yǒu yǐngxiǎng lì de) – influential
高质量的 (gāo zhìliàng de) – high-quality
可靠的 (kěkào de) – reliable
具有挑战性的 (jù yǒu tiǎozhàn xìng de) – challenging
可持续的 (kě chíxù de) – sustainable
客户满意度高的 (kèhù mǎnyì dù gāo de) – high customer satisfaction
持续增长的 (chíxù zēngzhǎng de) – continuously growing
Adjectives for COMMUNICATION:
清晰的 (qīngxī de) – clear
有效的 (yǒuxiào de) – effective
及时的 (jíshí de) – timely
专业的 (zhuānyè de) – professional
互动的 (hùdòng de) – interactive
有说服力的 (yǒu shuōfú lì de) – persuasive
合理的 (hélǐ de) – reasonable
顺畅的 (shùnchàng de) – smooth
精准的 (jīngzhǔn de) – accurate
易懂的 (yìdǒng de) – easy to understand
友好的 (yǒuhǎo de) – friendly
热情的 (rèqíng de) – enthusiastic
具有感染力的 (jù yǒu gǎnrǎn lì de) – infectious
周密的 (zhōumì de) – thorough
高效的 (gāoxiào de) – efficient
有耐心的 (yǒu nàixīn de) – patient
Adjectives for LAW:
公正 (gōngzhèng) – just, fair
合法 (héfǎ) – legal
严格 (yángé) – strict
全面 (quánmiàn) – comprehensive
具体 (jùtǐ) – specific
司法 (sīfǎ) – judicial
有效 (yǒuxiào) – effective
透明 (tòumíng) – transparent
公平 (gōngpíng) – impartial
严厉 (yánlì) – rigorous
完整 (wánzhěng) – complete
具有约束力的 (jùyǒu yuēshù lì de) – binding
恰当的 (qiàdàng de) – appropriate
严谨 (yánjǐn) – rigorous
有力的 (yǒulì de) – powerful
均衡的 (jūnhéng de) – balanced
稳定的 (wěndìng de) – stable
一致的 (yīzhì de) – consistent
具备权威性的 (jùbèi quánwēi xìng de) – authoritative
有效执行的 (yǒuxiào zhíxíng de) – enforceable
Adjectives for SOCIETY:
和谐 (héxié) – harmonious
稳定 (wěndìng) – stable
公正 (gōngzhèng) – just, fair
繁荣 (fánróng) – prosperous
多元 (duōyuán) – diverse
开放 (kāifàng) – open
文明 (wénmíng) – civilized
民主 (mínzhǔ) – democratic
进步 (jìnbù) – progressive
自由 (zìyóu) – free
充满活力的 (chōngmǎn huólì de) – vibrant
同等的 (tóngděng de) – equal
具有包容性的 (jùyǒu bāoróng xìng de) – inclusive
积极的 (jījí de) – positive
安全的 (ānquán de) – safe
互相尊重的 (hùxiāng zūnzhòng de) – respectful
人道的 (réndào de) – humanitarian
美好的 (měihǎo de) – beautiful
协作的 (xiézuò de) – collaborative
融洽的 (róngqià de) – harmonious.
Originally posted 2023-07-18 06:34:36.