<p>It is actually related to the sense you describe, but not exactly the same. You should think of dropping "的" as implying that there is an <em>intimate connection</em>, in a <em>general</em> sense and not specifically "romance", between the subject and the possessed. </p>

<p>You are intimately possessed of your eyes as they are a part of your body, hence, you can drop "的".</p>

<p>That said, it is not <em>wrong</em> to use "的" in that you won't be understood if you do, but it does add a more formalizing air.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-04T01:08:13.900Z
2019-08-04T01:08:13.900Z
The_Sympathizer
<p>In 这个女孩眼睛大,  这个女孩 (this <strong>girl</strong>) is the subject and 眼睛大 is an adjectival phrase for it. Meaning "[这个眼睛大的][<strong>女孩</strong>]" (this girl with big eyes)</p>

<p>In 这个女孩的眼睛大,  女孩的眼睛 (this girl's <strong>eyes</strong>) is the subject and 大 is an adjective for it. Meaning "[<strong>这个女孩的眼睛</strong>][很大]" (this girl's eyes are big)</p>

<p>Similar example:</p>

<p>[他][眼大] = [he] [is big-eyed]</p>

<p>[他的眼][大] = [his eyes] [are big]</p>

<p>[他][手快] = [he] [is fast-handed]</p>

<p>[他的手][快] = [his hands] [are fast]</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-04T03:18:00.623Z
2019-08-04T03:30:18.730Z
2019-08-04T03:30:18.730Z
Tang Ho
<p>I am learning Mandarin using Lingodeer and I've encountered the sentence, “这个女孩眼睛大” and I am wondering why it isn't necessary to refer to the girl's eyes with “的” in this sentence? I know that “的” can be left out when referring to someone you're intimate with or related to but I don't think your eyes fall into either of those categories...?</p>

<grammar>
Why is “的” not necessary when talking about someone's body parts?
# Why is “的” not necessary when talking about someone's body parts?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-03)

I am learning Mandarin using Lingodeer and I've encountered the sentence, “这个女孩眼睛大” and I am wondering why it isn't necessary to refer to the girl's eyes with “的” in this sentence? I know that “的” can be left out when referring to someone you're intimate with or related to but I don't think your eyes fall into either of those categories...?

**Tags:** grammar


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-08-04. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

In 这个女孩眼睛大, 这个女孩 (this **girl**) is the subject and 眼睛大 is an adjectival phrase for it. Meaning "[这个眼睛大的][**女孩**]" (this girl with big eyes)

In 这个女孩的眼睛大, 女孩的眼睛 (this girl's **eyes**) is the subject and 大 is an adjective for it. Meaning "[**这个女孩的眼睛**][很大]" (this girl's eyes are big)

Similar example:

[他][眼大] = [he] [is big-eyed]

[他的眼][大] = [his eyes] [are big]

[他][手快] = [he] [is fast-handed]

[他的手][快] = [his hands] [are fast]


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### Answer by username_1 on 2019-08-04. Score: 2

It is actually related to the sense you describe, but not exactly the same. You should think of dropping "的" as implying that there is an *intimate connection*, in a *general* sense and not specifically "romance", between the subject and the possessed.

You are intimately possessed of your eyes as they are a part of your body, hence, you can drop "的".

That said, it is not *wrong* to use "的" in that you won't be understood if you do, but it does add a more formalizing air.


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