The “的” phrase
In Chinese “的” (de) follows a noun, pronoun, verb, adjective or other word and forms a “的” phrase.
Such a phrase behaves like a noun in the sentence.
That is, instead of repeating the noun you can use:
word / phrase + 的
Basic structure
Noun / pronoun / verb / adjective + 的
Meaning:
“the one that is …”
“…'s”
“the … one”
Examples
红色的、绿色的、黑色的，你想买哪个？
The red one, the green one, the black one — which do you want to buy?
红色的红色的书包 — the red backpack / the red one
绿色的绿色的书包 — the green backpack / the green one
黑色的黑色的书包 — the black backpack / the black one
书包 is already known from the context, so it is not repeated.
这个面包是爸爸买的，妈妈买的在那儿。
Dad bought this bread; the one Mum bought is over there.
Here:
妈妈买的 = 妈妈买的面包 — the bread Mum bought
妈妈 + 买 + 的
Mum + buy + 的
妈妈Mum
买buy
的turns the preceding phrase into a noun
这件衣服太贵了，还是买那件便宜的吧。
This one is too expensive — let's buy that cheap one instead.
Here:
便宜的 = 便宜的衣服 — the cheap clothes / the cheap one
便宜 + 的
cheap + 的
便宜cheap
的gives the meaning “the cheap one”
Quick rule
Word / phrase + 的
The form is used so a noun already known from the context need not be repeated.
红色的 — the red one
妈妈买的 — the one Mum bought
便宜的 — the cheap one