The structural particle “地”

In Chinese “地” (de) normally stands between an adjective and a verb and shows the manner in which the action is done.

It is usually rendered with an adverb: “…-ly”, “in a … way”

Basic structure

Adjective + 地 + verb

Meaning: it states how the action was carried out.

过(Guò)生(shēng)日(rì)就(jiù)要(yào)吃(chī)好(hǎo)吃(chī)的(de)，还(hái)要(yào)高(gāo)高(gāo)兴(xìng)兴(xìng)地(de)玩(wán)。

On your birthday you should eat good food, and have a thoroughly happy time.

高高兴兴 + 地 + 玩 happily + 地 + play

过(guò)生(shēng)日(rì)celebrate a birthday

吃(chī)好(hǎo)吃(chī)的(de)eat good food

高(gāo)高(gāo)兴(xìng)兴(xìng)地(de)happily

玩(wán)play

Here 地 states the mood in which the playing happens.

老(Lǎo)师(shī)早(zǎo)早(zǎo)地(de)到(dào)了(le)教(jiào)室(shì)。

The teacher got to the classroom nice and early.

早早 + 地 + 到了 nice and early + 地 + arrived

老(lǎo)师(shī)the teacher

早(zǎo)早(zǎo)地(de)nice and early

到(dào)了(le)教(jiào)室(shì)got to the classroom

Here 地 shows when and how the arriving was done.

爸(Bà)爸(ba)很(hěn)快(kuài)地(de)吃(chī)完(wán)早(zǎo)饭(fàn)，就(jiù)去(qù)上(shàng)班(bān)了(le)。

Dad finished breakfast very quickly and left for work.

很快 + 地 + 吃完 very quickly + 地 + finish eating

爸(bà)爸(ba)Dad

很(hěn)快(kuài)地(de)very quickly

吃(chī)完(wán)早(zǎo)饭(fàn)finish breakfast

就(jiù)去(qù)上(shàng)班(bān)了(le)and left for work

Here 地 states the manner in which breakfast was eaten.

Adjective + 地 + verb

Meaning: it states the manner or state in which the action was done.

高高兴兴地玩 — play happily 早早地到 — arrive nice and early 很快地吃完 — finish eating very quickly