Verbs, verb phrases and subject-predicate phrases as attributives

In Chinese a verb, a verb phrase or a subject-predicate phrase can stand before a noun and describe its quality or state.

Basic structure

Verb / verb phrase / subject-predicate phrase + 的 + noun

In some cases 的 may be dropped.

他(Tā)们(men)卖(mài)的(de)电(diàn)影(yǐng)票(piào)也(yě)很(hěn)便(pián)宜(yi)。

The movie tickets they sell are also very cheap.

他们卖的 + 电影票 the ones they sell + movie tickets

他(tā)们(men)卖(mài)的(de)the ones they sell

电(diàn)影(yǐng)票(piào)movie tickets

也(yě)很(hěn)便(pián)宜(yi)are also very cheap

Here the phrase 他们卖的 modifies the noun 电影票.

现(Xiàn)在(zài)学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)的(de)学(xué)生(sheng)很(hěn)多(duō)。

There are a great many students studying Chinese these days.

现在学中文的 + 学生 studying Chinese these days + students

现(xiàn)在(zài)now

学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)的(de)studying Chinese

学(xué)生(sheng)students

很(hěn)多(duō)a great many

Here the phrase 现在学中文的 modifies the noun 学生.

这(Zhè)是(shì)朋(péng)友(you)给(gěi)我(wǒ)的(de)杯(bēi)子(zi)。

This is the cup a friend gave me.

朋友给我的 + 杯子 the one a friend gave me + cup

朋(péng)友(you)friend

给(gěi)我(wǒ)give me

朋(péng)友(you)给(gěi)我(wǒ)的(de)the one a friend gave me

杯(bēi)子(zi)cup

Here the phrase 朋友给我的 modifies the noun 杯子.

Verb / verb phrase / subject-predicate phrase + 的 + noun

Meaning: the action or state before the noun is what identifies it.

他们卖的电影票 — the movie tickets they sell 现在学中文的学生 — the students studying Chinese these days 朋友给我的杯子 — the cup a friend gave me