的
de
Possessive particle; modifier particle
的 (de) — different people doing different things
A + 的 (de) + A，B + 的 (de) + B
HSK 53.0
Pattern diagram
Action的Action，Action的Action
Rule structure
A的 (de)A，B的 (de)B describes people engaged in different activities: some do one thing, others do another. In each part, the action is repeated around 的 (de). It describes different groups rather than being an invitation to do anything one likes.
Rule structure
A的 (de)A，B的 (de)B describes people engaged in different activities: some do one thing, others do another. In each part, the action is repeated around 的 (de). It describes different groups rather than being an invitation to do anything one likes.
Examples
下课了，同学们打球的打球，看书的看书。
Xiàkè le, tóngxuémen dǎ qiú de dǎ qiú, kàn shū de kàn shū.
Class is over: some students play ball, while others read.
Examples
下课了，同学们打球的打球，看书的看书。
Xiàkè le, tóngxuémen dǎ qiú de dǎ qiú, kàn shū de kàn shū.
Class is over: some students play ball, while others read.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “different people doing different things” in Chinese with 的?
Use the structure: A + 的 (de) + A，B + 的 (de) + B. For example: 下课了，同学们打球的打球，看书的看书。 — “Class is over: some students play ball, while others read”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
下课了，同学们打球的打球，看书的看书。 — “Class is over: some students play ball, while others read”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules
不得了 — oh no, an extreme situation
不得了 (bùdéliǎo)! (+ Situation)
着 — while doing, something happened
Verb (A) + 着 (zhe) + Verb (A) + 着 (zhe), ...
没 — paired absence with 没A没B
没 (méi) + A + 没 (méi) + B
说 — doing it at once: 说A就A
说 (shuō) + Verb (A) + 就 (jiù) + Verb (A)
用不着 — no need to
Subject + 用不着 (yòngbuzháo) + Verb/Noun
不 — might as well, no reason not to
不 (bù) + Verb + 白 (bái) + 不 (bù) + Verb
是它 — whether it's good or bad
X + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)，Y + 也 (yě) + 是 (shì) + 它 (tā)
着 — since we are doing it anyway
X + 着 (zhe) + 也是 (yě shì) + X + 着 (zhe)