Correct
别 vs 别的
/ biè vs biède /
Strokes
Definition
Both 别 and 别的 relate to the idea of "other/different," but they function differently in sentences.
Both 别 and 别的 are Adjectives which can only be used as Attributives, not as Predicates, Adverbials, or Complements.
1. 别 (bié) – "Don’t" (Imperative Negation)
- Meaning: Used to forbid or 劝阻 (dissuade) someone from doing something.
- Grammar: Always before a Verb/Adjective, often in commands.
- Examples:
- 别说话！ (Bié shuōhuà!) – "Don’t speak!"
- 别担心。 (Bié dānxīn.) – "Don’t worry."
- 别迟到！ (Bié chídào!) – "Don’t be late!"
Key Point:
- Only used in negative commands.
- ❌ "别书" (×) – Incorrect because "书" is a noun; 别 must modify a verb/adj.
2. 别的 (biéde) – "Other/Else" (General "Different Things")
- Meaning: Refers to other things/people/options (like English "else" or "other").
- Grammar:
- Can stand alone ("别的" = "other things").
- Can modify nouns ("别的 + N").
- Examples:
- 我不要这个，我要别的。 (Wǒ bú yào zhège, wǒ yào biéde.) – "I don’t want this; I want something else."
- 别的学生都来了。 (Biéde xuéshēng dōu lái le.) – "The other students have arrived."
- 还有别的颜色吗？ (Hái yǒu biéde yánsè ma?) – "Are there other colors?"
Key Point:
- Modifies nouns or replaces them (like a pronoun).
- ✅ "别的书" (biéde shū) – "other books" (correct, unlike 别).
4. Advanced Notes
- 别人 (biérén) = "other people" (fixed phrase; 别 + 人).
- Example: 别人都知道了。 (Biérén dōu zhīdào le.) – "Others already know."
- 另 (lìng) = "another" (similar to 别的 but more formal/literary).
- Example: 另一个人 (lìng yī gè rén) – "another person."
Summary
| Word | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 别 | Negative command | 别去！ (Don’t go!) |
| 别的 | "Other/else" | 别的选择 (other choices) |
Remember:
- 别 = "Don’t" (only for commands).
- 别的 = "Other" (for nouns/pronouns).
Example
别 can qualify only a few nouns, e.g. 别人, 别称, 别名, 别号 etc. Some of them have become words, and not phrases. 别的 is quite free in qualifying nouns and the nouns qualified can either be singular or plural, but mostly plural.
1
Chúle
除了
zhèzhǒng
这种
fāngfǎ
方法
,
biède
别的
fāngfǎ
方法
dōu
都
bùxíng
不行
。
Except for this one,none of the methods works.
2
Háiyǒu
还有
biède
别的
yàngshì
样式
de
的
yīfu
衣服
ma
吗
?
Are there any other styles of clothes?
3
Zhè
这
liǎng
两
jiàn
件
yīfu
衣服
chúle
除了
yánsè
颜色
,
méiyǒu
没有
biède
别的
bùtóng
不同
。
Except for the color, the two coats are the same.
When qualifying 人, there is a difference between the two words: 别 can only qualify the monosyllabic 人 (别人 has become a fixed word), 别的 can be used to form phrases like 别的朋友 (other friends), 别的同学 (other classmates), 别的老师 (other teachers), etc. Sometimes th
4
Chúle
除了
māma
妈妈
,
nǐ
你
jiālǐ
家里
háiyǒu
还有
biéren
别人
(
biède
别的
rén
人
)
ma
吗
?
Besides your mother, do you have any other family members?
别 is an Adverb in 别无选择 (without any other choice), 别有洞天 (a place of unique,enchanting beauty), 别说了 (don'tsay any more), etc. If there is a numeral-measure word, 别的 can be placed either before or after it (to mean other or another).
5
Tā
她
hé
和
biède
别的
wǔ
五
gè
个
nǚháizi
女孩子
yīqǐ
一起
qù
去
lǚxíng
旅行
。
She went on a trip with five other girls.
6
Tā
她
hé
和
wǔ
五
gè
个
biéde
别的
nǚháizi
女孩子
yīqǐ
一起
qù
去
lǚxíng
旅行
。
She and other five girls went to a trip.
Mistake
Using 别 instead of 别的 for nouns:
❌ "别颜色" (×) – Incorrect (别 can’t modify nouns).
✅ "别的颜色" (√) – "other colors."
Using 别的 as a command:
❌ "别的吃！" (×) – Nonsense (别的 isn’t a command).
✅ "别吃！" (√) – "Don’t eat!"