Answers
Jun 14, 2013 - 01:12 PM
Fluenz level 3, session 22, explains "uses of de" fairly thoroughly, I counted about 8 rules of "de". However, the use of "de" is explained throughout the program, and you will have a good sense of how to use it by the time you get to session 3.22. I think learning the rules is more a matter of practice than memorization, much like Ser/Estar in Spanish. In the meantime, you can expect many such exceptions to occur in the use of "de". Just go with what you know for now, and when there is an "exception", try to take note of it. I did so by listening to the spoken phrases over, and over, and over again until it just "sounded correct" to me.
To answer your question in the meantime, it will generally be correct to use "de" when it is used as "adjective" + "de" + noun. However, when the adjective is a "pure" adjective such as xiăo (ie, a single word and not a contraction, usually one-syllable), the "de" is optional, and native speakers will just drop it. In English, this turns xiăo de shū "a book that is small" into xiăo shū "a small book".
Good luck progressing through. Two tips for you however: 1. I got the most benefit by spending 3+ hours per session, so don't rush. A lot of Fluenz is about practicing the sessions to drill them into your head. 2. There are quite a few actual errors in Mandarin 1,2,3; I counted about 2 per session on average. If you see something that doesn't look right based on what was taught previously, take a note of it and move on.
To answer your question in the meantime, it will generally be correct to use "de" when it is used as "adjective" + "de" + noun. However, when the adjective is a "pure" adjective such as xiăo (ie, a single word and not a contraction, usually one-syllable), the "de" is optional, and native speakers will just drop it. In English, this turns xiăo de shū "a book that is small" into xiăo shū "a small book".
Good luck progressing through. Two tips for you however: 1. I got the most benefit by spending 3+ hours per session, so don't rush. A lot of Fluenz is about practicing the sessions to drill them into your head. 2. There are quite a few actual errors in Mandarin 1,2,3; I counted about 2 per session on average. If you see something that doesn't look right based on what was taught previously, take a note of it and move on.
Jun 14, 2013 - 02:42 PM
Awesome, thank you for the feedback and advice.
I have been doing every lesson a couple of times, using the flashcards at work when on break and make a point of going through the prior lesson(on top of the couple of times mentioned before) right before I do a new lesson. So far I feel pretty comfortable. The challenge right now for me is the actual speaking, and mumbling Chinese to myself during downtime at work hasn't been the best practice for that :) But, I do live in a fairly diverse area of the US and am exposed to Chinese a fair amount, so I'll jump in shortly.
I have been doing every lesson a couple of times, using the flashcards at work when on break and make a point of going through the prior lesson(on top of the couple of times mentioned before) right before I do a new lesson. So far I feel pretty comfortable. The challenge right now for me is the actual speaking, and mumbling Chinese to myself during downtime at work hasn't been the best practice for that :) But, I do live in a fairly diverse area of the US and am exposed to Chinese a fair amount, so I'll jump in shortly.